NITI Aayog Flags China’s Grip on Critical Minerals Supply

22 Sep 2025 CW Team

At the India Mining Summit 2025 in New Delhi, NITI Aayog member Arvind Virmani raised concerns about the heavy concentration of the world’s critical mineral supply in China, warning that the issue has global implications.

Virmani noted that while critical minerals are found across the globe, nearly 80–90 per cent of metal processing and supply is controlled by China. “We would call that a monopoly,” he remarked, stressing the need to diversify global supply chains.

China’s position as the dominant producer of rare earth elements has triggered worldwide anxiety, particularly after it imposed export restrictions. Virmani said the challenge is not limited to India: “The whole world is scrambling to create new technologies. It benefits everybody except the monopolists.”

India has launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) to boost domestic exploration, processing and recycling. Virmani also highlighted opportunities for collaboration with countries such as Peru and several African nations rich in untapped mineral reserves.

Responding to Taiwan’s interest in sourcing rare earths from India, Virmani cautioned that India is not a major producer except in specific resources such as iron ore and titanium-bearing monazite sands found in eastern states and Kerala.

He said renewed focus on rare earths would spur technological investigation and economic evaluation, ensuring India contributes to a competitive global supply chain.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..