India-Brazil Sign MoU on Rare Earths and Critical Minerals Supply Chains

India and Brazil signed a Memorandum of Understanding on rare earths and critical minerals during President Lula da Silva’s state visit to India. The agreement focuses on strengthening supply chains and strategic cooperation across the mineral value chain.

India–Brazil MoU on Rare Earths and Critical Minerals:

Dimension	Key Details
Critical Minerals Definition	Primary and processed minerals essential for economic production whose supplies may face disruption due to non availability or price spikes
Aim of MoU	Strengthens supply chains and enhances strategic cooperation in critical minerals
Scope of Cooperation	Covers exploration mining processing recycling and refining across full value chain
Benefit to India	Reduces import dependence on China and strengthens supply security for EV electronics defence and green technologies
Benefit to Brazil	Promotes exploration of untapped reserves attracts Indian investment and encourages domestic value addition
Trade Target	Both countries aim to double bilateral trade to USD 30 billion by 2030
Rare Earth Elements	Subset of critical minerals comprising 17 minerals used in electric vehicles wind turbines and electronics
National Critical Mineral Mission	Covers exploration mining beneficiation processing and recovery from end of life products during 2024 to 2031
National Critical Mineral Stockpile	Initiative under National Critical Mineral Mission to ensure availability of rare earth elements
Identified Critical Minerals	30 minerals including Antimony Beryllium Bismuth Cobalt Copper Gallium Germanium Graphite Hafnium Indium Lithium Molybdenum Niobium Nickel PGE Phosphorous Potash REE Rhenium Silicon Strontium Tantalum Tellurium Tin Titanium Tungsten Vanadium Zirconium Selenium and Cadmium