India and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Ties in Critical Minerals Sector

New Delhi, Feb 5 (KNN) In a significant move towards bolstering global mineral cooperation, India and Saudi Arabia have agreed to deepen collaboration in the critical minerals sector.

On Tuesday, India’s Minister of Mines, G Kishan Reddy, held high-level discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef, to explore investment opportunities and technological partnerships.

One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the designation of the Geological Survey of India Training Institute (GSITI) as a centre of excellence under the Future Minerals Forum (FMF).

This initiative is set to provide specialised training programs for geologists from Saudi Arabia, Africa, and Central Asia, strengthening global mining capabilities and capacity building in the sector.

The talks also focused on building a resilient mineral supply chain to reduce import dependency, a critical move for ensuring energy security. Joint ventures for processing critical minerals, vital for clean energy technologies, were also on the agenda.

Additionally, both nations explored the adoption of advanced mining technologies to promote sustainable mineral exploration and extraction.

This dialogue is a continuation of India’s engagement at the Future Minerals Forum 2025 in Riyadh, where Minister Reddy underscored India’s commitment to securing essential minerals for the energy transition and clean energy initiatives.

He also engaged in discussions with representatives from Brazil, Italy, and Morocco to foster international partnerships in mineral security and sustainable development.

These efforts align closely with India's National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM), which aims to ensure a stable supply of minerals crucial for modern industries.

Meanwhile, in related developments, India’s telecommunications sector is preparing for the next round of 5G spectrum auctions, with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) considering the addition of the 37-40 GHz band.

On the economic front, PepsiCo has reported double-digit growth in India, while the solar industry is leveraging technology to enhance capacity utilisation.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has also projected that India's automobile sector will become the world’s largest in the next five years.

As India strengthens its foothold in the critical minerals domain, these strategic collaborations are expected to drive technological innovation, sustainable development, and economic growth on a global scale.

(KNN Bureau)