NEW DELHI, India — Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw has participated in a high-level U.S.-led ministerial meeting in Washington focused on securing and diversifying global critical minerals supply chains, with a particular emphasis on rare-earth elements essential for advanced manufacturing and electronics.
The finance ministerial meeting was hosted by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and brought together senior economic leaders from major global economies, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
Following the meeting, Vaishnaw outlined India’s priorities in a post on X, stating, “Participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting hosted by Treasury Secretary @SecScottBessent. Strengthening critical mineral supply chains is vital to enhancing the resilience of India’s manufacturing capabilities and rapidly growing electronics sector.”
Discussions at the U.S. Treasury focused on addressing vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains, which have become increasingly concentrated and exposed to potential disruption and manipulation. The United States highlighted steps it has already taken, along with planned investments, to build more resilient, secure, and diversified supply networks.
Several senior officials and industry leaders also made presentations during the meeting, including U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Export-Import Bank of the United States President and Chairman John Jovanovic, and JP Morgan Managing Director Jay Horine.
Secretary Bessent emphasized the need for coordinated international action, urging participating countries to strengthen supply chain resilience while avoiding fragmentation. He later reiterated this stance in a post on X, saying, “At today’s Finance Ministerial hosted by the @USTreasury, I was pleased to hear a strong, shared desire to quickly address key vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains.I am optimistic that nations will pursue prudent derisking over decoupling and understand well the need for decisive action.”
In an official statement, the U.S. Treasury said, “Secretary Bessent expressed his optimism that nations will pursue prudent derisking over decoupling, and that they understand well the need to remedy current deficiencies in critical minerals supply chains. Noting that these supply chains have also become highly concentrated and vulnerable to disruption and manipulation, the Secretary urged attendees to increase their supply chain resiliency and thanked attendees for their willingness to both learn from and work quickly with each other towards decisive action and lasting solutions.”
The ministerial meeting reflects growing global efforts to reduce dependence on limited sources of critical minerals and to strengthen economic security as geopolitical and technological challenges reshape global supply chains. (Source: IANS)
