Japan is in talks with India to jointly explore rare earth deposits in Rajasthan to reduce dependence on China. Indian authorities have identified three hard rock deposits in Rajasthan and Gujarat containing an estimated 1.29 million metric tonnes of rare earth oxides (mn t). The discovery, announced by the Union Mines Minister last month, is expected to bolster India’s mineral security. Hard rock deposits require specialised extraction techniques that India does not yet possess at scale.

Under the proposed cooperation Japan would send experts to study the Rajasthan sites and provide advanced extraction technology and financial support in return for a stable supply of rare earths. Officials said the talks build on a preliminary critical minerals pact signed last year and remain at an early stage with no corporate partnerships or technology agreements finalised. The cooperation aims to develop reserves while building domestic processing capabilities.

Rare earth elements are crucial for permanent magnets used in electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, fighter jets and drones and therefore matter for industrial and defence planning. Beyond rare earths Japan is exploring collaboration with Indian companies to search for lithium, copper and cobalt in Africa to diversify supply chains. Recent restrictions by China on exports of certain dual use items to 20 Japanese entities highlighted vulnerabilities in current sourcing and reinforced incentives to seek alternatives.

Officials said development of the newly found deposits will require sustained investment, technology transfer and regulatory clearances before commercial production can begin. Analysts noted that Japanese technological expertise could assist in overcoming geological and processing challenges and in establishing domestic capabilities. Both governments view secure access to critical minerals as important for industrial expansion and strategic autonomy as geopolitical tensions grow in the Indo Pacific.