India Joins G7 Critical Mineral Talks to Counter China's Dominance

• India participates in high-level G7 critical minerals discussions in Washington, D.C., aiming to reduce dependence on China-led supply chains.
• Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasizes secure critical mineral supply chains are vital for India's 'Viksit Bharat' goal.
• US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlights China's 'weaponisation' of supply chains and the need for broader coordination beyond G7.
• China currently dominates global refining of most critical minerals, including copper, lithium, and rare earth elements, with an average 70% market share.
• India is also set to join the US-led Pax Silica initiative and participate in another US critical minerals meeting before an AI summit in New Delhi.

Why It Matters: India aligns with G7 and US to secure critical mineral supply chains, reducing reliance on China.