The Union Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Israel for collaboration in exploring and processing critical minerals, a move aimed at bolstering India’s domestic supply and reducing reliance on imports.
The agreement, which CNBC-TV18 first reported on February 18, involves the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for mineral exploration. It will also facilitate synergy between Israel’s expertise and India’s National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM).
One of the key highlights is Israel’s technology to extract potash from sea water—an advancement that could benefit India’s fertiliser industry, given the country’s heavy reliance on potash imports. Strengthening the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) is another focus area, ensuring a comprehensive repository of exploration-related data.
The initiative aligns with the ₹18,000 crore investment planned via public sector undertakings (PSUs) for critical mineral exploration. Additionally, the removal of import duties on 25 critical minerals aims to boost domestic refining and processing.
G Kishan Reddy, Minister for Coal and Mines, stated that India is actively pursuing cobalt, copper, and lithium in 15-20 countries, including Canada, Bolivia, Argentina, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Offshore mineral block exploration is also being encouraged for the first time, with 448 projects set for 2025—195 of which involve critical minerals.
As part of the broader strategy, India plans to appoint nodal officers in overseas missions to strengthen critical mineral acquisition efforts.
The government has already secured a pact with Zambia, granting India exploration rights for copper and cobalt across 9,000 sq km on a government-to-government basis.
