India’s Critical Mineral Diplomacy: Securing the Green Transition through African Partnerships
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India is intensifying its strategic acquisition of critical minerals like lithium and cobalt in Africa to bolster its EV and semiconductor sectors. This move aims to diversify supply chains and reduce strategic dependence on China while supporting India's Net Zero 2070 goals.
In a significant move to bolster its energy security, the Government of India is accelerating plans to acquire critical mineral blocks in African nations, including Zambia, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This strategic initiative, spearheaded by Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL)—a joint venture of NALCO, HCL, and MECL—aims to secure a steady supply of lithium, cobalt, and copper, which are essential for the country’s green energy transition.
The push for critical minerals is driven by India's ambitious targets for Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption and semiconductor manufacturing. Currently, India faces a high degree of import dependency for these minerals, particularly on China, which dominates the global processing and supply chains. By entering into bilateral agreements and joint ventures with African nations, India seeks to create a resilient and diversified supply chain, aligning with the 'China Plus One' strategy adopted by many global economies.
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This article was curated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical facts from official sources.