India Aims for Self-Sufficiency in Critical Minerals

New Delhi, Aug 15 (PTI) India is moving ahead to become self-sufficient in critical minerals, and exploration campaigns are underway at more than 1,200 locations, Prime Narendra Modi said on Friday.

Addressing the nation on the 79th Independence Day, PM said today the whole world has become very cautious about critical minerals. People have started understanding its potential very well.

What did not receive much attention till yesterday is on the centre stage today. Self-reliance in critical minerals is very essential for India as well, Modi said.

Critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, rare earth and graphite have diverse applications ranging from electronic chips and home appliances to electric vehicles and solar panels.

The demand of such minerals have surged manifold in the recent past as countries world over are transitioning toward clean energy and cut green house gas emission.

"Be it the energy sector, industry sector, defence sector or technology sector, critical minerals play a very important role in technology today. And for this reason, we have launched the National Critical Mission," Modi said during his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

PM said exploration campaigns are underway at more than 1,200 locations "and we are moving towards becoming self-sufficient in critical minerals as well".

He also emphasised on becoming self-reliant in energy sector and cut the country's import bill.

"If we were not dependent on energy, that wealth would have been used for our youth, it would have helped the poor in my country to fight against poverty. It would have been useful for the welfare of the farmers of my country, it would have been useful in changing the conditions of the villages of my country. But we have to give it to foreign countries. Now we are working towards becoming self-reliant," the prime minister said.