India, Russia Expand Rare Earth Partnership

India and Russia have taken fresh steps to strengthen cooperation in rare earth minerals and processing technologies as New Delhi moves to secure supplies of critical raw materials needed for electric vehicles, clean energy technologies, electronics and defence manufacturing. The development comes days after India signed a critical minerals framework agreement with the United States and joined a new Quad initiative focused on critical mineral supply chains.

According to officials familiar with the discussions, India and Russia are working together on rare earth extraction, processing and technology development. Agreements have been signed for joint research and development activities covering the production of high-purity rare earth metals and compounds. The cooperation also includes efforts to develop permanent magnet technologies, which are widely used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, consumer electronics and strategic applications.

The latest engagement builds on broader discussions between the two countries on critical minerals. India and Russia have been in advanced talks on a framework covering exploration, processing and technology cooperation for minerals such as lithium and rare earth elements. The proposed arrangement is also expected to support investments by companies from both countries across the critical minerals value chain.

India has intensified efforts to secure overseas sources of critical minerals as demand rises from the country’s renewable energy, battery manufacturing and electric mobility sectors. Rare earth elements are used in permanent magnets, battery technologies, semiconductors, aerospace equipment and defence systems. While demand for these materials is increasing globally, China continues to dominate mining, refining and processing activities across several critical mineral categories.

The India-Russia cooperation comes at a time when New Delhi is expanding partnerships with multiple countries to diversify supply chains. On May 26, India and the United States signed a framework agreement on critical minerals and rare earth supply chains covering mining, processing and technology cooperation. The agreement was announced alongside discussions held during the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi.

The Quad grouping, comprising India, Australia, Japan and the United States, has also launched a critical minerals initiative aimed at strengthening supply chains and mobilising investments. The four countries have announced plans to support critical minerals projects and reduce vulnerabilities associated with concentrated global supply sources. Reports indicate that up to $20 billion could be mobilised to support critical mineral supply chain development across partner countries.

For India, securing access to critical minerals has become an important part of its energy transition strategy. The country is rapidly expanding solar manufacturing, battery storage deployment, electric vehicle production and advanced manufacturing capabilities, all of which require reliable supplies of lithium, rare earth elements and other strategic minerals. By pursuing partnerships with Russia, the United States, Australia, Japan and other resource-rich countries, India is seeking to build a more resilient supply chain and reduce dependence on a limited number of global suppliers.