India and France held high level discussions to identify ways to boost cooperation in the critical minerals sector. The talks brought together government officials, diplomats and industry representatives to review strategic priorities and to examine supply chain resilience. Both sides outlined the role of critical minerals in supporting clean energy deployments and industrial competitiveness. The discussions emphasised the need for secure, diversified sources and resilient logistics.

Delegates examined collaboration across the full value chain from exploration and extraction to processing and advanced manufacturing. Attention focused on technology transfer, joint research initiatives and capacity building to develop downstream capabilities. The agenda included measures to strengthen environmental standards and to promote responsible sourcing practices across suppliers. Discussions also covered investment incentives, public private partnerships and measures to enhance domestic processing capacity to capture greater value within supply chains.

Participants explored mechanisms to mobilise private investment and to facilitate trade and financing for projects that build capacity in mineral processing and recycling. They discussed regulatory cooperation, standards harmonisation and streamlined permitting to reduce duplication and enhance project delivery. Skills development and workforce training were highlighted as priorities to support sustainable industrial expansion. Stakeholders emphasised mechanisms for technology incubation, improved logistics infrastructure and incentives to scale recycling operations for critical mineral residues and end of life materials.

The two sides agreed to establish working groups to develop practical roadmaps and to monitor progress against agreed milestones. Follow up actions will include joint feasibility studies, pilot projects and regular consultations at ministerial and technical levels. The focus will remain on aligning industrial objectives with environmental safeguards and on supporting the transition to cleaner technologies. Timelines for deliverables were proposed and a framework for periodic review was set out to ensure sustained momentum and to address technical bottlenecks.