Quad Critical Minerals Initiative
The Quad, comprising India, the US, Australia, and Japan, has launched the "Quad Critical Minerals Initiative" to ensure a stable supply of critical minerals and strengthen economic security, especially in the face of China's coercive tactics, such as price manipulation and export restrictions.
Importance of Critical Minerals
- Critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and graphite are essential for high-end technology products, including electric vehicles (EVs), drones, and battery storage.
- China currently dominates the global supply chain of these minerals.
Quad's Broader Agenda
- The agenda includes four areas: maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response.
- Committed to advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific and strengthening energy security and resilient supply chains.
Future Initiatives
- The "Quad Ports of the Future Partnership" is set to be launched in Mumbai in October 2025.
Maritime Law Enforcement Cooperation
- The Quad is enhancing cooperation to address illicit maritime activities such as piracy and illegal fishing.
- The "Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission" has been launched to bolster interoperability and knowledge-sharing in the Indo-Pacific.
Supply Chain Resilience and Cooperation
- The initiative aims to diversify and secure reliable supply chains and reprocess electronic waste and critical minerals.
- It encourages coordination with private sector partners to increase investments.
