CENJOWS–IP Bazzaar Tech Talk Highlights Geopolitics Of Critical Mineral Supply Chains

New Delhi, Dec 23 (KNN) The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), in collaboration with IP Bazzaar, organised a closed-door, high-level Tech Talk on “Minerals That Matter: Geopolitics, Sovereignty & Value Chains” on 17 December 2025 in New Delhi, focusing on the strategic importance of critical minerals in India’s national security and industrial planning.

Delivering the keynote address, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), underscored that critical minerals have become central to defence preparedness, technological sovereignty and capability development.

He noted that advanced defence platforms including jet engines, missiles, precision-guided munitions, radars, satellites, batteries and semiconductors are highly dependent on reliable access to such minerals.

Air Marshal Dixit highlighted that global supply chains for critical minerals are heavily concentrated and increasingly influenced by geopolitical considerations and export controls, creating vulnerabilities for import-dependent countries.

He observed that secure and resilient mineral supply chains are essential for self-reliant defence manufacturing and sustained operational readiness, aligning with the national objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.

Referring to recent policy initiatives, he cited India’s identification of critical minerals, the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission, and efforts to strengthen the entire value chain from extraction and processing to manufacturing and recycling.

He noted that these measures are intended to translate strategic intent into practical outcomes. On the occasion, he also inaugurated a set of 30 technical reports on critical minerals, covering intellectual property landscapes and market assessments.

The invitation-only roundtable brought together senior policymakers, defence and security experts, industry representatives, technology specialists, academics and intellectual property professionals to deliberate on India’s strategic approach to critical minerals amid a changing global environment.

(KNN Bureau)