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CISC Highlights Critical Minerals as Strategic Enabler for Defence, Viksit Bharat 2047

So, a top defence official just highlighted how critical minerals are now a huge deal for national security and building our own defence tech. He pointed out that everything from missiles to satellites relies on these materials, but the global supply is shaky and controlled by a few countries. That's why India is pushing hard to secure its own supply chain, from mining to recycling, to

Key Points: CISC Air Marshal Dixit on Critical Minerals for Defence, Aatmanirbhar Bharat

  • CISC Air Marshal Dixit links critical minerals directly to national security and defence tech sovereignty
  • Modern defence systems like missiles and radars depend on assured mineral access, says senior official
  • Global supply chains face concentration and geopolitical risks, creating strategic vulnerability
  • Self-reliant defence manufacturing tied to secure mineral value chains for Viksit Bharat 2047
  • Government initiatives like National Critical Mineral Mission aim to strengthen extraction-to-recycling pipeline
  • High-level roundtable convened policymakers and experts to strategise on India's mineral approach
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CISC underscores strategic importance of critical minerals for defence preparedness, Viksit Bharat 2047

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit underscores strategic role of critical minerals for national security, defence tech, and reducing import dependence at CENJOWS roundtable.

"Critical minerals have emerged as a strategic enabler for national security, defence capability development, and technological sovereignty. - Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit / Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC)"

New Delhi, December 23

The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), in collaboration with IP Bazzaar, hosted Tech Talk, a high-level, closed-door roundtable discussion on the theme "Minerals That Matter: Geopolitics, Sovereignty and Value Chains" on December 17 in New Delhi, as per the official release.

In his keynote address, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), highlighted that critical minerals have emerged as a strategic enabler for national security, defence capability development, and technological sovereignty.

He noted that modern defence systems, including jet engines, missiles, precision munitions, radars, satellites, batteries, and semiconductors, are intrinsically dependent on assured access to these minerals.

Air Marshal Dixit emphasised that global supply chains for critical minerals are highly concentrated and increasingly subject to export controls and geopolitical pressures, making excessive import dependence a strategic vulnerability.

He observed that self-reliant defence manufacturing and operational readiness are inseparable from secure and resilient mineral supply chains, aligned with India's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Addressing recent national efforts, the Air Marshal drew attention to India's initiatives such as the identification of critical minerals, the establishment of the National Critical Mineral Mission, and the government's push to enhance the entire value chain, from extraction to processing, manufacturing, and recycling. These efforts, he noted, are crucial for translating India's policy intentions into concrete outcomes. As part of the event, he also inaugurated a collection of 30 technical reports on critical minerals, showcasing in-depth IP landscape studies and market analyses.

The invitation-only forum convened senior policymakers, defence experts, industry leaders, technology innovators, academia, and intellectual property (IP) professionals to explore India's strategic approach to critical minerals in the context of a rapidly evolving global environment.

The event received the gracious best wishes of G Kishan Reddy, Minister of Coal and Mines, Government of India.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally, someone is talking about the foundation of our tech future! It's not just about manufacturing phones or cars, but securing the raw materials. Hope this leads to more exploration within India and creates skilled jobs in geology and processing.
R
Rohit P
Good initiative, but execution is key. We have a history of great policies that get stuck in bureaucratic delays. Hope the 'concrete outcomes' come fast. Our security can't wait.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see India focusing on this. The global concentration of these supply chains is a real risk for all nations. Collaborative efforts with friendly countries for secure sourcing might be a good path forward alongside domestic mining.
V
Vikram M
Aatmanirbharta in defence starts with the soil! We need to map our resources properly and invest in recycling tech. Every old smartphone battery is a potential source of critical minerals. Let's not waste it.
K
Karthik V
The mention of IP landscape studies is very important. We can't just mine; we need to own the technology to process and use these minerals efficiently. Otherwise, we'll just be exporters of raw ore again.

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