+
India, Australia to Enhance Cooperation in Critical Minerals and Processing
ECONOMY & POLICY

India, Australia to Enhance Cooperation in Critical Minerals and Processing

India and Australia are exploring ways to enhance cooperation in critical minerals, their processing, and battery production, according to Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal. He mentioned that both countries have signed an interim free trade agreement and are negotiating to expand it into a comprehensive pact.

At a conference on the roadmap for vehicle electrification, Barthwal discussed the potential integration of the Indian and Australian economies in areas such as battery production, mineral production, mineral processing, and vehicle production. He highlighted the steps taken by the Indian government to promote domestic manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) and to strengthen the supporting ecosystem, including the enhancement of charging infrastructure.

Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green OAM, spoke at the event, emphasizing Australia's significant mineral and energy resources that can support India's "Make in India" initiative. He pointed out that Australia is a leading producer of critical minerals, including being the largest producer of lithium and the second-largest producer of cobalt globally. Green expressed Australia's desire to facilitate easier access for India to these critical minerals and other resources that can aid India's green transition. He stressed that achieving this goal would require a comprehensive free trade agreement.

Critical minerals like copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements are vital for the rapidly growing clean energy technologies, such as wind turbines, electricity networks, and electric vehicles. The demand for these minerals is increasing as the clean energy transition accelerates.

Barthwal also mentioned that India, like Australia, has signed a trade pact with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Norway is a key member.

India and Australia are exploring ways to enhance cooperation in critical minerals, their processing, and battery production, according to Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal. He mentioned that both countries have signed an interim free trade agreement and are negotiating to expand it into a comprehensive pact. At a conference on the roadmap for vehicle electrification, Barthwal discussed the potential integration of the Indian and Australian economies in areas such as battery production, mineral production, mineral processing, and vehicle production. He highlighted the steps taken by the Indian government to promote domestic manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) and to strengthen the supporting ecosystem, including the enhancement of charging infrastructure. Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green OAM, spoke at the event, emphasizing Australia's significant mineral and energy resources that can support India's Make in India initiative. He pointed out that Australia is a leading producer of critical minerals, including being the largest producer of lithium and the second-largest producer of cobalt globally. Green expressed Australia's desire to facilitate easier access for India to these critical minerals and other resources that can aid India's green transition. He stressed that achieving this goal would require a comprehensive free trade agreement. Critical minerals like copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements are vital for the rapidly growing clean energy technologies, such as wind turbines, electricity networks, and electric vehicles. The demand for these minerals is increasing as the clean energy transition accelerates. Barthwal also mentioned that India, like Australia, has signed a trade pact with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Norway is a key member.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Dibang Valley Urges Timely Completion of VVP Road Projects

The Deputy Commissioner of Dibang Valley, Bekir Nyorak, has directed officials and contractors to ensure the timely and high-quality execution of road projects under the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP), aimed at improving connectivity in remote border areas.During a two-day inspection tour on July 26 and 27, Nyorak visited several interior villages in the Dambuen and Mipi circles to assess the progress of ongoing infrastructure works. Villages such as Achali, New Achuli, Atoto, and Achengo in the Dambuen region, along with Ahungo, Ediya, and Kamuyi in the Mipi area, are set to benefit from roa..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

BMC’s Powai–Ghatkopar Water Tunnel Achieves Key Milestone

Patel Engineering Limited, a leading infrastructure company, has announced the successful tunnel breakthrough of the Powai–Ghatkopar Water Tunnel project, being executed for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).The achievement marks the completion of two key underground segments — 2.045 km from the SCI shaft to the Ghatkopar High-Level Reservoir (HLR), and 0.742 km from the HLR to the Low-Level Reservoir (LLR) — using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology. The work is being carried out under an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract, with Patel Engineering as t..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Andhra Plans Rs 15-Bn Road Network Upgrade

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced a Rs 15-billion plan to revamp the state’s road infrastructure, including the construction of 2,000 kilometres of new roads and repairs to damaged ones. Of the total, Rs 10 billion is allocated for new construction and Rs 5 billon for road repairs, according to a report by The Hindu.At a review meeting with the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department at the State Secretariat, the Chief Minister instructed officials to expedite cost assessments and initiate the tendering process.Highlighting the poor condition of roads due to pr..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?