THE critical minerals framework, backed by nearly $20 billion in public and private investment, is a key initiative by the Quad, which is struggling to stay relevant amid a bipolar world order. The member nations — India, the US, Japan and Australia — have signalled that the pursuit of strategic resources is no longer merely economic — it is deeply geopolitical and security-driven. The latest pact is prompted by China’s overwhelming dominance in rare earths and critical minerals — resources vital for electric vehicles, semiconductors, batteries, drones and advanced defence systems. With China accounting for nearly 70 per cent of global rare earth mining and possessing significant processing capacity, many nations have become vulnerable to supply disruptions and export controls.
As India makes a push for clean energy, digital manufacturing and defence modernisation, access to reliable supplies of lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements has become a strategic necessity. The separate India-US agreement on mining, processing, recycling and investment demonstrates New Delhi’s intention to reduce dependence on China while integrating itself into trusted global supply chains.
Importantly, the initiative is not limited to resource extraction. It includes financing mechanisms, export credit support, recycling technologies, geological mapping and cooperation against unfair trade practices. Indeed, critical minerals require an entire ecosystem, not isolated mining projects. The Quad’s broader agenda — covering maritime security, energy resilience and Indo-Pacific infrastructure — indicates that it is evolving into a more concrete coalition. China’s criticism of “exclusive groupings” and “bloc confrontation” is not surprising. Yet Beijing’s own use of export curbs has energised the very counterbalancing alliance it opposes. The Quad’s challenge now is to implement the ambitious agreement on critical minerals. Large investments, regulatory coordination and sustainable mining practices will determine whether this framework becomes a viable counter to Chinese hegemony.
