The agreement aims to reduce dependence on China and secure long-term access to materials vital for technology, clean energy and defence sectors.
May 26, 2026: India and the United States on Tuesday signed a major framework agreement on critical minerals and rare earth supply chains during the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi. The pact was signed in the presence of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with both sides describing the deal as strategically important amid growing global competition over critical resources.
The agreement focuses on cooperation across mining, processing, recycling and investment linked to critical minerals used in semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, AI systems, telecommunications equipment and defence manufacturing. The move comes as countries seek to reduce dependence on China, which currently dominates global rare earth processing and refining. Recent Chinese export controls on strategic minerals have also increased concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities.
Rubio described the framework as a key step toward building trusted and resilient supply networks between India and the US. Jaishankar said the partnership would strengthen long-term resource security and support emerging technologies and industrial growth. The agreement is also linked to the US-backed Pax Silica initiative, which focuses on developing secure supply chains for critical minerals and artificial intelligence technologies among trusted partners.