US, India Challenge China Dominance With New Critical Minerals Security Taskforce
US-India taskforce launched to secure critical minerals supply chains and reduce China reliance.
The United States and India have taken a new step toward strengthening cooperation in critical minerals, launching an industry-led initiative aimed at reducing dependence on China-dominated supply chains and boosting resilience in key strategic sectors.
The development came through the US-India Business Council (USIBC), which announced the formation of the US-India Critical Minerals Security Taskforce. The platform held its inaugural meeting last week, bringing together 17 leading companies from both countries to explore collaboration across mining, processing, manufacturing, and investment in critical minerals.
The initiative follows a recent diplomatic push after India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a bilateral framework focused on securing supply chains for mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earth elements. The agreement reflects growing strategic alignment between Washington and New Delhi in sectors considered vital for clean energy and advanced technology transitions.
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The taskforce has identified key priority areas including lithium refining, battery-grade materials, rare-earth processing, magnet manufacturing, and minerals recycling. These sectors are seen as essential to reducing supply chain vulnerabilities, especially as global demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and high-tech manufacturing continues to rise.
To implement its goals, the platform will operate through structured workstreams focused on supply chain security, technology and innovation, investment facilitation, and regulatory coordination. Industry leaders say the approach is designed to bridge policy frameworks with commercial execution, enabling faster development of joint projects and investment opportunities between the two countries.
According to USIBC Managing Director Rahul Sharma, the collaboration combines India’s industrial capabilities with US technological and financial strength to build more resilient global supply chains. The initiative also aligns with broader multilateral efforts such as the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, which aims to diversify sourcing networks across the Indo-Pacific region and reduce overreliance on single-country supply systems.
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