France's Interministerial Delegate Benjamin Gallezot co-chairs first India-France Critical Minerals JWG
New Delhi, July 7
France's Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Minerals and Metals Supplies Benjamin Gallezot visited New Delhi on July 6-7, together with Olivier Frezot, Regional Director for Asia, Bureau of Geological and Mining Research, BRGM, the French Geological Survey.
According to the French Embassy in India, on July 6 in New Delhi, Gallezot co-chaired the first India-France Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals, with Joint Secretary, National Critical Mineral Mission, Ministry of Mines, Kadam Sandeep Vasant.
Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the exploration, processing and recycling of critical minerals and rare earth elements, with the objective of building resilient and sustainable supply chains.
The in-depth exchanges allowed the two countries to identify shared interests and develop collaboration projects in France, India and other key countries. BRGM and the Geological Survey of India, which have a long-standing cooperation, participated in the discussions and identified avenues for joint work to enhance knowledge of the entire critical minerals value chain, the Embassy stated.
During the visit, Gallezot met Deputy National Security Advisor, Pavan Kapoor, and participated in an interaction with representatives of Indian companies across a wide range of economic sectors organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
The visit builds on the France-India Joint Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in Critical Minerals, signed during President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India in February 2026. The Declaration provides a framework for closer cooperation in exploration, mining, research and innovation, diversification of value chains, supply chain resilience and circularity, the embassy stated.
Established on December 10, 2022, the French Interministerial Delegation for the Supply of Strategic Minerals and Metals coordinates the French government's efforts to secure strategic mineral and metal supplies. It works across ministries to strengthen supply chain resilience and support France's industrial, energy and strategic priorities, it noted.
The Embassy, in a post on X, reflected on the meeting and wrote, "Benjamin Gallezot, France's Interministerial Delegate - Strategic Minerals & Metals Supplies, co-chaired the first India France Critical Minerals JWG. Agenda: cooperation on exploring, processing & recycling critical minerals & rare earths for resilient, sustainable supply chains."
In February this year, Indian Ambassador to France Sanjeev Kumar Singla had announced a letter of intent to establish a centre on advanced materials between the Indian Department of Science and Technology and the French institution CNRS.
"On critical and emerging technology, we've decided to constitute a joint advanced technology development group, as well as a joint declaration of intent for cooperation in critical minerals. There's also a letter of intent to establish a centre on advanced materials between our Department of Science and Technology and the French institution called CNRS, which is one of the world's largest scientific institutions, especially focused on basic research. We've also signed the amendment to the double tax avoidance agreement between the two countries," Singla had said.
According to the joint statement issued by India and France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron had agreed to deepen cooperation in exploration, extraction, processing, and recycling technologies of critical minerals and rare earths in order to create diversified, sustainable, responsible, and resilient supply chains. The leaders recognised the key role of critical minerals in supporting a green and digital economy, emerging technologies and advanced manufacturing.
Both sides welcomed the Joint Declaration of Intent on cooperation in the field of critical minerals between France and India, the joint statement shared by the External Affairs Ministry had said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see India partnering with France for critical minerals. Our geological survey has been doing decent work but we need advanced tech for exploration. Recycling aspect is also important - why import when we can recover from e-waste? 🇮🇳🇫🇷
These joint working groups are positive steps but I hope the focus isn't just on extraction in other countries. India has significant rare earth reserves in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu - we need to develop our own processing capabilities first before looking abroad.
Interesting how India is hedging its bets - working with France on critical minerals while also maintaining ties with Russia for uranium. Smart diplomacy. But I'm curious about the environmental impact of these mining projects, both in India and in third countries they plan to collaborate in.
As someone working in the battery industry, this is welcome news. India has lithium finds in Jammu & Kashmir but processing tech is where we lag. French expertise in rare earth separation could be a gamechanger for our EV ambitions. Let's hope the JWG delivers actionable projects quickly! 🚗⚡
France has been a reliable partner for India, from nuclear deals to defense. This critical minerals cooperation shows the relationship is maturing. But I worry about the timeline - India's energy transition targets are ambitious and we need these minerals NOW, not after years of study.
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