India is making significant progress in securing critical mineral supplies, strengthening its position in the global clean energy race and moving ahead of countries such as China and Canada. Between January 2025 and September 2026, India signed 15 agreements related to critical minerals, placing it among the leading countries pursuing international partnerships in this strategically important sector.

The United States tops the list with 41 agreements, while China, Canada, Saudi Arabia and the European Union have each signed 11. The findings are based on an analysis by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), published through its Trade and Climate Tracker.

The report highlights the growing importance of trade and economic partnerships in securing the raw materials needed for clean energy technologies and modern industries. Between January 2025 and September 2026, 211 trade and economic cooperation agreements were signed globally. Of these, 139, or nearly two-thirds, were linked to critical raw materials.

Released ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), which began in Antalya, Türkiye, on 9 November, the analysis points to a growing connection between international trade policies and climate action. However, it also raises concerns about the gap between securing mineral supplies and ensuring environmental protection.

India’s Push to Secure Critical Mineral Supplies

India’s growing network of 15 agreements reflects its efforts to secure a reliable supply of minerals essential to achieving its clean energy ambitions.

Lithium is a key component in batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Rare earth elements are required to manufacture permanent magnets for wind turbines and electric vehicle motors. Copper plays a crucial role in expanding electricity grids, while graphite and cobalt are important raw materials for battery production.

Recognising the strategic importance of these resources, the Indian government approved the National Critical Mineral Mission in January 2025.

The seven-year mission, covering 2024-25 to 2030-31, has an allocated government expenditure of Rs 16,300 crore. It also aims to attract an additional Rs 18,000 crore in investment from public sector undertakings.

Under the initiative, the Geological Survey of India is expected to lead 1,200 mineral exploration programmes across the country. The mission also aims to secure 50 overseas mining assets, including 26 through public sector undertakings and 24 through private sector participation.

These measures are intended to reduce India’s dependence on imported minerals while strengthening domestic exploration, processing and manufacturing capabilities.

From Argentina to Australia: India Expands Its Global Mineral Partnerships

India is increasingly looking beyond its borders to secure access to critical mineral resources.

State-owned Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has entered into an agreement with Argentina’s CAMYEN to explore and develop five lithium brine deposits covering 15,703 hectares in the country’s Catamarca province.

India is also exploring opportunities for joint investment with Australia in lithium and cobalt mining assets. Meanwhile, partnerships with Germany and Norway are being strengthened in areas including critical minerals, supply chain diversification, research, processing and recycling.

However, India’s strategy extends beyond securing overseas mineral supplies. The country also wants to establish domestic processing facilities, manufacture high-value products and develop a stronger industrial ecosystem around critical minerals.

Countries Shift Focus from Raw Mineral Exports to Domestic Manufacturing

The IISD analysis reveals that countries are increasingly looking to capture greater economic value from their natural resources rather than simply exporting raw materials.

Of the 139 agreements related to critical minerals, 94 include provisions aimed at securing mineral supplies. Another 84 contain measures to promote local value addition, processing, manufacturing capacity and skills development in mineral-producing countries.

For many developing economies, the traditional model of exporting unprocessed minerals and importing expensive finished products has offered limited economic benefits. Governments are now seeking to change this approach by encouraging domestic industries and retaining more value within their economies.

Indonesia, for example, has restricted exports of raw nickel ore to encourage domestic processing and support the development of its battery and electric vehicle industries. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe have also introduced restrictions on exports of certain raw minerals to promote processing within their borders.

Mineral Diplomacy Gains Momentum Across the World

The changing approach to critical minerals is also reflected in the growing number of international partnerships.

Indonesia has established partnerships with 12 countries and groups, followed by Argentina with 10, Brazil with nine and Chile with seven.

In August 2026, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru issued a joint declaration on strategic minerals. The initiative aims to build a stronger regional mineral value chain through cooperation rather than having countries compete individually to attract investment.

Another significant trend highlighted by the IISD report is the growing preference for memorandums of understanding (MoUs), cooperation frameworks and joint declarations over conventional free trade agreements.

Of the 139 agreements concerning critical minerals, 95, accounting for 68 per cent, fall into these categories.

The shift is largely driven by the lengthy negotiations and implementation processes associated with free trade agreements. Such agreements typically cover several sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing and financial services, and often require extensive domestic approval procedures.

By contrast, MoUs and cooperation frameworks can provide countries with a more flexible way to establish strategic partnerships and advance cooperation on critical mineral supplies.

As the global transition towards clean energy accelerates, access to critical minerals is becoming an increasingly important economic and geopolitical priority. India’s expanding international partnerships, combined with its domestic exploration and manufacturing initiatives, reflect its ambition to become a stronger player in the global clean energy supply chain.