Critical Minerals Vital for National Security and Technological Sovereignty

Why in the News?

• Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee, highlighted that critical minerals are indispensable for national security, defence preparedness, and technological sovereignty.
• He spoke at a discussion titled “Minerals that Matter: Geopolitics, Sovereignty and Value Chains, organised by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies and IP Bazzaar.

• The event coincided with the release of 30 technical reports on critical minerals, focusing on IP landscapes and market dynamics.
  

Background

What are Critical Minerals?

• Minerals that are essential for economic and national security but face high supply risks due to:
  • Geographic concentration
  • Limited substitutes
  • Geopolitical vulnerabilities

Examples

• Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel → Batteries & EVs
• Rare Earth Elements → Radars, missiles, satellites
• Gallium, Germanium → Semiconductors, optics

India’s Context

• India is import-dependent for many critical minerals.
• Global supply chains are dominated by a few countries, making access vulnerable to export controls and strategic coercion.

Features

National Security & Defence Preparedness

Modern defence systems such as:

• Jet engines
• Precision-guided munitions
• Missiles and radars
• Satellites and secure communication systems.
• They are intrinsically dependent on assured access to minerals.

Technological Sovereignty

• Semiconductors, batteries, renewable energy systems and AI hardware require critical minerals.
• Dependence undermines strategic autonomy and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals.

Geopolitical Leverage

• Concentrated supply chains are increasingly weaponised through:
  • Export restrictions
  • Strategic stockpiling
  • Trade sanctions

Policy Initiatives Highlighted

• Identification of critical minerals
• Launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission
• Focus on the entire value chain:
  • Exploration
  • Extraction
  • Processing
  • Manufacturing
  • Recycling

Challenges

High Import Dependence

• Limited domestic reserves for many minerals.
• Heavy reliance on geopolitically sensitive regions.

Processing & Refining Gaps

• Even when minerals are mined, value addition is weak.
• India lacks advanced refining and separation technologies.

Environmental & Social Concerns

• Mining often faces:
  • Ecological damage
  • Local resistance
  • Regulatory delays

Weak Strategic Stockpiling

• Inadequate reserves for long-term defence contingencies.

Fragmented Governance

• Multiple ministries and agencies lead to coordination issues.

Way Forward

Secure and Diversify Supply Chains

• Strategic partnerships with mineral-rich countries.
• Participation in global mineral security frameworks.

Strengthen Domestic Capabilities

• Encourage indigenous refining and processing units.

Defence-Linked Industrial Policy

• Align defence manufacturing with mineral security planning.
• Integrate mineral strategy with semiconductor and EV missions.

Promote Recycling & Circular Economy

• Urban mining and recovery from e-waste.
• Reduce dependence on virgin imports.

Strategic Reserves & IP Leadership

• Create critical mineral stockpiles for defence needs.
• Invest in intellectual property, as highlighted by the released technical reports.

Conclusion

Critical minerals are no longer just economic inputs; they are strategic assets shaping national power in the 21st century. As underscored by Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, self-reliant defence manufacturing and operational readiness are inseparable from secure and resilient mineral supply chains.