India recently participated in a ministerial meeting hosted by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss the importance of securing and strengthening critical mineral supply chains. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, represented India in the meeting, which focused on finding solutions for securing and diversifying critical mineral supply chains, particularly rare earth elements.
Minister Vaishnaw expressed India's commitment to enhancing the resilience of its manufacturing capabilities and rapidly growing electronics sector through the strengthening of critical mineral supply chains. He arrived in Washington DC on Sunday for the meeting, stating that secure critical mineral supply chains are crucial for India's goal of Viksit Bharat.
During the meeting, Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the importance of securing critical mineral supply chains for India's economic prosperity and resilient manufacturing. Treasury Secretary Bessent also acknowledged the need for decisive action to address vulnerabilities in critical mineral supply chains and expressed optimism for nations to work together towards lasting solutions.
The meeting of Finance Ministers included representatives from various countries, such as Australia, Canada, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. The US also highlighted its efforts and investments to create resilient, secure, and diversified critical mineral supply chains. The Secretary urged all attendees to increase their supply chain resiliency and thanked them for their willingness to learn from each other and work towards decisive action.
In addition to the ministerial meeting, Minister Vaishnaw was also welcomed by Assistant to President Trump and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Michael Kratsios, and Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, to discuss the upcoming AI Impact Summit in India. The summit, which will take place on February 19-20, will focus on the principles of 'People, Planet, and Progress' and will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
The Indian Embassy in Washington DC expressed its honor to welcome Minister Vaishnaw and hear his thoughts and perspectives on India's priorities in the tech and manufacturing sectors. The PTI and Orissa POST also reported on the meeting and the upcoming AI Impact Summit, highlighting India's commitment to enhancing critical mineral supply chains and its advancements in the field of technology.
