Critical Minerals

Rare earths, supply chain dependencies, and the geopolitics of non-fuel minerals

Critical minerals — rare earths, lithium, cobalt, gallium, germanium — underpin everything from electric vehicles to defence systems. I research how mineral supply chains create geopolitical leverage, why China’s dominance is less permanent than assumed, and what India’s mineral strategy should look like.

Key claim

By December 2028, China will lose its geopolitical leverage from rare earths dominance. The strategic importance of these materials will decline, and China will begin diluting its export controls. Read more →

Related tracker

Critical minerals supply chains are closely linked to semiconductor manufacturing. See the India Semiconductor Manufacturing Tracker for the downstream impact.

Talks & Slides

The Geopolitics of Critical Minerals

Event: A Talk at National Defence College, New Delhi

Date: March 10, 2026

Download slides →

Selected Writings

15 pieces across blog posts, op-eds, and publications.

Let’s make critical minerals deal work

Op-ed · Hindustan Times · Jun 5, 2026

China’s critical minerals export ban falls short

Op-ed · Thinkchina · Apr 21, 2026

Sand Slipping Through Fingers

Publication · Takshashila Discussion Document 2026-09. · with Amit Kumar · Mar 2026

Rare earths sector can do with recycling thrust

Op-ed · Hindustan Times · Feb 2026

India Should Double Down on Rare Earth Recycling

Publication · Takshashila Discussion Document · with Tannmay Kumarr Baid and Narayan Ramachandran · Jan 2026

India is talking about critical minerals. But do we have a plan?

Op-ed · Indian Express · Jan 2026

The Geopolitics of Critical Minerals

Blog · Jan 2026

Rare earths in India, Bridging the gaps to ensure sufficiency

Op-ed · Hindustan Times · Dec 2025

Pakistan is bluffing. There’s no proof for $6 trillion mineral wealth claim

Op-ed · The Print · Nov 2025

Seven Points Worth Thinking About China’s Gameplay on Rare Earths

Blog · Oct 2025

Beijing’s rare earth playbook is tired. It’s time India wrote its own

Op-ed · Times of India · Oct 2025

Tracks Without Trains

Op-ed · The Hindu · Oct 2025

China’s moves must recast India’s critical minerals push

Op-ed · The Hindu · Jan 2025

The Rare Earth Elements Opportunity for India

Publication · Takshashila Issue Brief · with Shrikrishna Upadhyaya · Jan 2023

Takshashila Policy Advisory - Comments on NITI Aayog’s Draft Battery Swapping Policy

Publication · Takshashila Publication · Jun 2022