The move underscores the country’s push to reduce dependence on imports, particularly for lithium, a key component in energy transition technologies.
The decision, first reported by Reuters, comes as India accelerates efforts to establish a domestic critical minerals supply chain. In addition to government funding, public sector investments worth ₹180 billion are expected to further boost the sector.
The urgency stems from India’s growing need for minerals vital to clean energy, electric vehicles, and infrastructure development. While the country has identified 30 minerals, including lithium, as “critical,” it remains heavily reliant on imports—particularly from China, which dominates global lithium processing.
To bridge this gap, New Delhi has reached out to Australia, Russia, and the U.S. for technical expertise in lithium processing. However, India is still in the early stages of developing its own processing technology.
The latest funding initiative signals a strong push to build domestic capabilities and ensure energy security as the world’s fastest-growing major economy transitions toward cleaner, sustainable technologies.
