India and United States signed a new framework agreement on Tuesday to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths. The deal aims to secure supply chains and reduce dependence on single-source suppliers for strategic materials. The agreement reflects growing economic and geopolitical cooperation between both countries.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed the framework after the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi. Jaishankar said the agreement would deepen collaboration across the entire critical minerals and rare earth supply chain. He added that resilient and diversified supply networks were increasingly important in a rapidly changing global environment.
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Rubio stressed that both countries could not afford reliance on monopolised supply chains for foundational industrial materials. He warned that overdependence on single suppliers could create economic and strategic vulnerabilities during conflicts or geopolitical disputes. According to Rubio, India and the United States share strong interests in securing long-term access to minerals essential for innovation-driven industries.
Critical minerals and rare earth elements play a major role in sectors including semiconductors, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and defence technologies. Many countries are currently seeking alternative supply chains amid concerns about concentrated global control over mineral processing and exports. The agreement also aligns with wider Quad discussions on economic security and strategic infrastructure cooperation.
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Rubio arrived in India last week for a four-day official visit focused on strengthening bilateral and regional partnerships. The visit included discussions on Indo-Pacific security, trade, and critical technologies. Analysts view the new framework as another step toward expanding strategic coordination between Washington and New Delhi.