Devika Suryanshi

From Mineral Dependence to Mineral Dominance: Securing India's Strategic Future! PM @narendramodi ji's ₹2,814 crore Critical Mineral Processing Scheme is a decisive step towards strengthening India's strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty. By incentivising domestic processing, attracting investment and building indigenous capabilities, it addresses a crucial missing link between mineral resources and high-value manufacturing. Alongside the National Critical Mineral Mission, expanding exploration, recycling and rare earth magnet manufacturing, it advances the integrated, mission-driven approach I have consistently advocated. This is not merely import substitution, but an investment in India's industrial competitiveness, national security and green and digital future. As I have argued in my writings on the global rare earth 'Great Game', the nations that command critical mineral value chains will shape the technologies, economies and geopolitics of the 21st century. In an era of weaponised economic interdependence, India cannot afford to replace its dependence on imported fossil fuels with dependence on imported refined minerals. Strategic autonomy requires domestic technological capabilities complemented by diversified global partnerships, particularly with resource-rich countries of the Global South. Our ambition must be to move beyond securing raw materials to mastering the technologies and value chains they enable, transforming India from a technology consumer into a global innovator, manufacturer and rule-shaper. That is the promise of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the foundation of Viksit Bharat. – at Delhi, India