Addressing the 3rd Global Summit on Advanced Materials, Critical Minerals, & Metals hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh asserted that critical minerals are the bedrock of India’s energy security, industrial competitiveness, and national defense. Underlining the summit’s theme, “Building Resilient Value Chains for a Sustainable and Competitive Future,” the Minister highlighted India’s transition from a technology follower to a confident global leader. To sustain this momentum, he called for end-to-end capability building across the critical materials value chain—from extraction and refining to advanced engineering and manufacturing.
To secure these supply chains, Dr. Singh emphasized a “whole-of-nation” approach that combines domestic resource development with strategic international partnerships. He highlighted major structural reforms designed to bring private industry into previously restricted domains, explicitly inviting global investors to participate in India’s newly opened nuclear sector. Furthermore, with initiatives like the national Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Fund moving into active implementation, the government is actively de-risking private investment in frontier technologies, electric mobility, semiconductors, and aerospace.
Bridging the gap between academic innovation and market viability remains a central policy priority. Dr. Singh urged research institutions to engage commercial partners right at project inception, ensuring that R&D directly aligns with market demand. Citing the successful reuse of steel slag in road construction as a model for circular economics, he stressed that innovative technology can eliminate waste. Ultimately, he framed corporate research philanthropy and early-stage industry integration as vital drivers for sustaining startups and securing India’s long-term material independence.
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