Critical Mineral Resources for India’s Strategic Future - Startup Conclave Hyderabad 2025

I delivered a talk at the CSIR - National Startup Conclave (22nd-23rd April 2025) themed "Catalyzing Innovation, Connecting Ecosystems." This event brought together startups, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, investors, academicians and policymakers - united to foster innovation, share insights and explore collaboration.

At CSIR - National Startup Conclave (22nd-23rd April 2025) themed "Catalyzing Innovation, Connecting Ecosystems."

It was an honour to speak in the presence of Hon’ble Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Dr D. Srinivasa Reddy Director, CSIR-IICT, Dr. Vinay Nandicoori, Director, CSIR-CCMB, Dr. Prakash Kumar, Director, CSIR-NGRI, Shri Bandari Lakshma Reddy, MLA, Uppal, Shri Etela Rajender, MP, Malkajgiri.

My talk, titled “Critical Mineral Resources, India’s Strategic Futures”

My talk, titled “Critical Mineral Resources, India’s Strategic Futures,” emphasized the strategic importance of minerals.

The urgent need to strengthen India’s position across the entire value chain - exploration, processing and high-value manufacturing. The midstream gap in refining, separation and alloying technologies. The role of strategic collaborations among government, academia and industry.

India’s strategic future hinges on securing and mastering critical mineral resources vital for many sectors including but not limited to clean energy, electronics, defense and space.

These are not just raw materials. They are the backbone of national security and advanced technology systems.

We are taking strong steps. The Critical Minerals List has been updated. KABIL is securing global assets. PLI schemes are catalyzing investments in battery and electronics manufacturing. Geological mapping is becoming smarter and more data-driven.

These are promising beginnings. But gaps remain - especially in the midstream and downstream parts of the value chain.

UPSTREAM

We must scale exploration using AI tools and advanced geoscience methods. Promising belts like the Northeast must be mapped quickly,

with private sector involvement.

MIDSTREAM

We still lack large-scale refining, separation and processing capabilities for critical minerals.

This is a strategic vulnerability we must address urgently.

DOWNSTREAM

We need investments in high-value components:

Including but not limited to battery precursors, magnets, superalloys, refractory alloys, etc. These are essential for EVs, defense systems and crucially - materials used in launch vehicles, satellite subsystems, thermal shielding and propulsion systems.

WHAT MUST IMPROVE

• A National Critical Minerals Mission - led by the Ministries of Mines, DST, MEITY and engaging ISRO, DRDO and DAE as key stakeholders.

• A Critical Minerals Diplomacy Cell inside MEA - to forge strategic partnerships with countries like Australia, Brazil and African nations for joint exploration and long-term offtake.

• A Strategic Materials Innovation Fund - to support Indian R&D in metallurgy, recycling and extraction technologies.

And finally, we must revamp materials curricula to train a new generation of experts in sustainable mining and critical mineral technologies.

Let us move from being a raw material exporter to a leader across the entire critical mineral value chain.

If we act now, we ensure strategic autonomy in clean energy, defense and space.

If we delay, we risk dependency in sectors that define our nation’s future.

Let us make critical minerals the bedrock of a truly Atmanirbhar Bharat - on land, in air and in space.

Grateful to CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, specially to Dr. Nandan and the organizing team of CSIR India for this platform to contribute, learn and collaborate with visionaries shaping India’s scientific and industrial future.