India, US finalise framework to secure supply of critical minerals, rare earths amid China’s exporting curbs

India and the US have finalised a framework to secure the supply of critical minerals and rare earths amid supply disruptions in the sector following China’s curbs on exports.

A detailed framework, “Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths”, was signed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Delhi on Tuesday. 

According to the External Affairs Ministry, the framework aims to deepen India-US cooperation across the critical minerals and rare earths supply chain, including mining, processing, recycling, and related investments. 

“It is something very timely and critical….. It will strengthen resilient and diversified supply chains, help us to collaborate on financing and with the effective management of critical minerals and rare earths... It is one more sign of how close our cooperation is in a world where there are so many challenges but also so many opportunities..." Jaishankar said post signing the framework. 

The India-US Joint Statement issued during the visit had underlined the strategic importance of critical minerals for emerging technologies and advanced manufacturing and recognised secure and resilient supply chains for critical minerals as a shared strategic priority of both countries. 

"I have spoken often during my time here over the last few days about the strategic alliance between the United States and India and how important that is for our national interest in the United States. And today is a tangible example of it. We are two countries that have strategic interests in ensuring reliable long-term access to critical minerals and supply chains that are important for our innovation economy," said Marco Rubio. 

India’s cooperation in US-led Pax Silica initiative 

It is important to note that earlier, on 20 February 2026, India became a signatory to the US-led Pax Silica initiative. India also signed a Joint Statement on the "India-US AI Opportunity Partnership” as a bilateral addendum to the Declaration. 

Furthermore, India and the US are also partnering under the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE) initiative. 

Is it a counter to China’s monopoly on the rare earth supply chain? 

The India-US framework is crucial as it can be seen as a step to counter China’s dominance in the rare earth sector. China controls roughly 70% of global rare earth extraction and a staggering 85% to 90% of its refining and processing. 

Since 2025, Beijing has been creating massive shocks across supply chains by imposing strict export controls, leading to severe global shortages and massive price spikes, such as a 365% surge in European gallium prices. 

Notably, the India-US framework allows both nations to bypass this chokehold by co-funding alternative mining, processing, and refining infrastructure outside China.