India, UK launch Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory to strengthen resource security
New Delhi, June 4
India and the United Kingdom on Thursday launched the India-UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory in New Delhi, marking a significant step in bilateral cooperation aimed at strengthening critical mineral supply chains and improving resource security for key industries.
The observatory was formally launched by Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. The initiative seeks to support monitoring and analysis of global critical mineral supply chains, helping policymakers, industry and researchers identify supply risks, disruptions and emerging market trends.
Addressing the gathering, Reddy said critical minerals are essential for modern economies and play a key role in clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, electric mobility and strategic sectors.
He noted that the Observatory would "strengthen India's capabilities in critical mineral supply chain intelligence, support evidence-based policymaking, and advance the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)."
The minister further said that the initiative reflects India's commitment to building resilient and diversified critical mineral value chains while enhancing international cooperation with trusted partners, according to a release.
Speaking on the occasion, Cooper highlighted the importance of India-UK collaboration in developing resilient, diversified and sustainable critical mineral supply chains.
"Greater access to critical minerals and improved information-sharing are in the mutual interest of both nations and can contribute significantly to economic growth and supply chain security," she said.
Cooper added that the partnership has the potential to serve as a foundation for broader cooperation across the critical minerals sector and related strategic industries.
The Observatory is a joint initiative of TEXMiN, the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad and the University of Cambridge. It aims to create a data-driven platform for monitoring and analysing global critical mineral supply chains.
An interactive demonstration of the platform was jointly presented by TEXMiN and the University of Cambridge. The platform will enable monitoring of global critical mineral supply chains, identification of supply risks and disruptions, generation of market intelligence, and informed decision-making.
The initiative was announced during the India-UK Prime Ministers' bilateral engagement in October 2025 and was formalised through a Research Collaboration Agreement signed in March 2026. It is expected to strengthen India-UK cooperation in critical minerals and support resilient, secure and sustainable global supply chains.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good move, but we need to see faster execution. Our EV and renewable energy targets depend on lithium, cobalt, and rare earths. Data sharing is fine, but what about actual joint ventures for mining? UK has expertise in deep-sea mining, India has abundant resources - let's marry the two properly.
As someone working in supply chain analytics, this is a smart move. The platform approach allows real-time risk assessment. India has large graphite and titanium reserves, UK has processing tech. Mutual benefit. Now if only we could reduce bureaucratic delays in mining approvals back home...
This is the kind of strategic partnership India needs. Not just buying minerals, but building intelligence and resilience. The National Critical Mineral Mission is ambitious - hope we also focus on recycling and urban mining. Our e-waste is a goldmine (literally!) for rare earths. ♻️
Good initiative but I hope we're not just creating another bureaucratic 'observatory' that produces reports nobody reads. Need concrete outcomes - opening new mines, attracting investment in processing facilities, and training our geologists. Universities are great, but industry linkage is key.
Interesting timing with China's export controls on critical minerals. India and UK should also work on alternative chemistries - less reliant on Chinese-dominated supply chains. The observatory should track R&D breakthroughs too, not just existing supply chains. Forward-looking approach needed! 📊
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