India is conducting talks with Brazil, Canada, France and the Netherlands to seek cooperative arrangements to explore, extract, process and recycle critical minerals. The discussions are focused on lithium and rare earths and also aim to secure access to mineral processing technologies. Sources declined to be identified because the negotiations remain confidential.

Officials said the push reflects concern over heavy reliance on China, which dominates global supplies of many minerals and holds advanced mining and processing capabilities. The outreach is part of a broader strategy to accelerate the energy transition and cut emissions while diversifying supply chains. Mining remains a lengthy undertaking as exploration alone typically runs five to seven years and often does not result in a viable mine.

India seeks to emulate elements of a critical minerals agreement signed with Germany in January that covers exploration, processing and recycling as well as the acquisition and development of mineral assets in both countries and in third countries. The Ministry of Mines is leading the effort and sources said talks with France, the Netherlands and Brazil are under way while an agreement with Canada is under active consideration. Canada's prime minister, Mark Carney, is likely to visit India in early March and to sign deals concerning uranium, energy, minerals and artificial intelligence, according to officials. Canada's Natural Resources Department referenced a January statement that both sides had agreed to formalise cooperation on critical minerals.

India has already signed pacts related to critical minerals with Argentina, Australia and Japan and is engaged in talks with Peru and Chile on broader bilateral arrangements. The expanding engagement coincides with recent discussions by finance ministers from major economies on reducing dependence on rare earths from China. In 2023 the government identified more than 20 minerals, including lithium, as critical to the energy transition and to meet rising demand from industry and infrastructure. Securing diverse sources and processing technology remains a strategic priority for policymakers.