INDIA'S STRATEGIC MINERALS CHALLENGE : DEPENDENCY, SECURITYAND GEOPOLITICAL IMPLICATIONS

Strategic minerals have emerged as critical determinants of economic competitiveness, technological advancement and national security in the 21st century. The accelerating global transition towards clean energy, digital technologies and advanced defence systems has intensified demand for minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements and graphite. For India, a rapidly growing economy with ambitious developmental and climate commitments, securing access to these strategic minerals has become a central policy challenge. Despite possessing notable geological potential, India remains heavily import-dependent for several critical minerals, thereby exposing its industrial and strategic sectors to global supply disruptions and geopolitical risks. This paper examines India's current status in strategic minerals, analyses the geopolitical and economic dimensions of mineral security and evaluates the policy initiatives undertaken by India to address supply vulnerabilities. It argues that India's strategic mineral quest reflects a broader transformation in national economic planning, wherein resource security, technological sovereignty and foreign policy are increasingly intertwined. The study concludes that while recent policy measures mark a significant shift toward mineral security, sustained success will depend on technological upgrading, environmental governance, international partnerships and the development of integrated domestic value chains.