In conversation with Mr. Ganesh Sivamani, Research Associate, CSEP (former Brookings India), Delhi, India.

Critical minerals refer to mineral resources, both primary and processed, which are essential inputs in the production process of an economy, and whose supplies are likely to be disrupted due to the risks of non-availability or unaffordable price spikes. This paper extends the earlier assessment of 23 minerals for India by assessing the criticality levels of 43 select minerals for India based on their economic importance and supply risks, which are determined through the evaluation of specific indicators. Minerals such as antimony, cobalt, gallium, graphite, lithium, nickel, niobium, and strontium, among others, are critical for India. Many of these are required to meet green technologies, high-tech equipment, aviation, and national defence manufacturing needs. However, while India has a significant mineral geological potential, many minerals are not readily available domestically. Hence, India needs to develop a national strategy to ensure resilient critical minerals supply chains, which focuses on minerals found to be critical in this study.