India, UK Launch Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory to Strengthen Resource Security
New Delhi, June 4 (TNT): India and the United Kingdom on Thursday launched the India–UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO), a major collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing supply chain resilience and securing access to critical minerals essential for clean energy, advanced manufacturing, electric mobility and emerging technologies.
The Observatory was formally inaugurated in New Delhi by Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy and UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Yvette Cooper.
The launch marks a significant milestone in the expanding India–UK partnership on critical minerals, underscoring the two countries’ shared commitment to building resilient, diversified and sustainable supply chains for strategically important resources.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Mines, Ministry of External Affairs, the High Commission of India in the United Kingdom, the British High Commission in India, as well as representatives from academia, research institutions and industry from both countries.
Addressing the gathering, Kishan Reddy described critical minerals as the backbone of modern economies and indispensable for clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, electric mobility and strategic sectors.
He said the Observatory would enhance India’s critical mineral supply chain intelligence capabilities, support evidence-based policymaking and contribute to the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM).
“The initiative reflects India’s commitment to building resilient and diversified critical mineral value chains while deepening cooperation with trusted international partners,” the Minister said.
Speaking on the occasion, Yvette Cooper highlighted the importance of India–UK collaboration in securing sustainable and diversified critical mineral supply chains.
She said improved access to critical minerals and greater information-sharing would benefit both countries by strengthening economic growth and enhancing supply chain security.
Cooper noted that the partnership could serve as a foundation for broader cooperation across the critical minerals sector and other strategic industries.
The Observatory is a joint initiative of TEXMiN, the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, and the University of Cambridge.
It is designed as a data-driven platform for monitoring and analysing global critical mineral supply chains.
The project was first announced during bilateral discussions between the Prime Ministers of India and the United Kingdom in October 2025 and was subsequently formalised through a Research Collaboration Agreement signed in March 2026.
Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Chairman of the Governing Board of TEXMiN, highlighted the significance of the initiative under the National Critical Mineral Mission and the India–UK Technology Security Initiative.
An interactive demonstration of the Observatory was jointly presented by TEXMiN and the University of Cambridge during the launch event.
The platform will provide real-time monitoring of global critical mineral supply chains, identify potential supply risks and disruptions, generate market intelligence and support informed decision-making by policymakers, industry stakeholders and researchers.
Officials said the Observatory is expected to play a key role in strengthening India–UK cooperation in the critical minerals sector while contributing to the development of resilient, secure and sustainable global supply chains.
TNT TS
