India and UK Launch Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said resilient and diversified critical mineral supply chains are becoming increasingly important for economic growth, technological development and national security.

India and the United Kingdom have officially launched the India–UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO), a joint initiative aimed at improving cooperation in securing critical mineral resources that are essential for clean energy, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. The observatory was launched in New Delhi by Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. The event brought together government officials, academic leaders, researchers and industry representatives from both countries.

The launch marks another step forward in the growing strategic partnership between India and the UK, with both nations seeking to strengthen critical mineral supply chains amid rising global demand and increasing concerns about resource security.

Observatory to support data-driven policy and market intelligence

Speaking at the launch, Reddy described critical minerals as the foundation of modern economies and key components in sectors such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and strategic industries. He said the new platform will improve India's ability to monitor global supply chains, assess risks and disruptions, and support evidence-based policymaking. The initiative is also expected to contribute to the goals of India's National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), which focuses on securing mineral resources needed for future economic growth and energy transition.

The observatory has been developed as a collaborative effort between TEXMiN, the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad and the University of Cambridge. It is designed to function as a data-driven platform that tracks global critical mineral supply chains and generates intelligence for policymakers, businesses and researchers.

During the event, representatives from TEXMiN and the University of Cambridge demonstrated the platform's capabilities, showing how it can identify supply risks, monitor market trends and provide insights for strategic decision-making.

India-UK partnership expands into strategic sectors

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said resilient and diversified critical mineral supply chains are becoming increasingly important for economic growth, technological development and national security. She noted that improved information-sharing and cooperation between India and the UK would benefit both countries while helping create more secure and sustainable supply networks.

The observatory was first announced during bilateral discussions between the Prime Ministers of India and the United Kingdom in October 2025. The initiative was later 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, said the project aligns with both the National Critical Mineral Mission and the India–UK Technology Security Initiative.

Officials from both countries believe the observatory will play an important role in strengthening cooperation on critical minerals while supporting more resilient and sustainable global supply chains in the years ahead.