India and the United Kingdom have launched the India–UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO) in New Delhi to strengthen resilient and diversified supply chains for critical minerals. These minerals are essential for clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
The GSCO is a technology-backed bilateral intelligence platform designed to track, analyse, and secure access to strategic mineral resources in real time, thereby safeguarding both countries against geopolitical disruptions and market monopolies.
About India–UK Critical Minerals GSCO
- A specialised bilateral intelligence platform for monitoring global mineral supply chains
- Conceived during India–UK Prime Ministers’ engagement (October 2025)
- Formalised via a Research Collaboration Agreement (March 2026)
- Operates under:
- National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)
- India–UK Technology Security Initiative
Implementing Institutions
- TEXMiN (Technology Innovation in Exploration & Mining Foundation, IIT-ISM Dhanbad)
- Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad
- University of Cambridge
Member Nations: India and the United Kingdom
Aim
- To ensure secure and trusted access to critical minerals required for:
- Modern economies
- Advanced manufacturing
- Electric mobility
- Clean energy transition
- Acts as an automated intelligence mechanism to:
- Prevent supply shocks
- Reduce dependency on monopolistic suppliers
- Mitigate geopolitical risks
Key Features
- Real-Time Supply Chain Monitoring: Tracks minerals from extraction to final industrial use through data-driven systems
- Automated Risk Detection: Uses predictive modelling to detect Export restrictions, Supply disruptions and Logistics bottlenecks
- Advanced Market Intelligence: Generates insights on Stockpile levels, Pricing trends and Industrial demand patterns
- Policy Integration: Links analytical outputs with policymaking for Trade agreements and Strategic mineral stockpiling
- Cross-Border Research Collaboration: Enables shared research, data pooling, and algorithm validation between India and the UK
- Inclusive Stakeholder Network: Involves:
- Ministry of Mines
- Ministry of External Affairs
- British High Commission
- Industry leaders and research institutions
Strategic Significance for India
- Supports the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) through data-driven insights
- Reduces supply chain vulnerabilities, especially dependence on limited suppliers like China
- Ensures access to key minerals such as: Nickel, Lithium, Rare Earth Elements, Cobalt
- Critical for: Electric Vehicles (EVs), Renewable energy technologies, Battery storage
Broader India–UK Relations
- Aligns with India–UK Vision 2035 for cooperation in: Technology, Resource security, Economic growth
- Complements the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
- Strengthens trusted and resilient global supply chains