PM Modi Launches National Critical Mineral Mission to Secure India’s Auto Sector

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the National Critical Mineral Mission, a significant initiative aimed at securing India’s supply of rare earth minerals and raw materials essential for the country’s burgeoning automotive and technology sectors. Speaking at an event in Gujarat where he flagged off the first “made-in-India” electric vehicle (EV) from Maruti Suzuki, PM Modi stressed the government’s commitment to addressing the shortage of critical minerals, particularly those required for manufacturing batteries for EVs. This new mission will boost exploration efforts and domestic production capacity, reducing the country’s dependence on foreign imports and bolstering the “Make in India” initiative.

The launch of the mission comes at a crucial time for India’s push towards electric mobility. The government’s ambitious targets for EV adoption rely heavily on a stable and affordable supply chain for key components, including lithium-ion batteries and rare earth magnets. With a significant portion of these minerals being imported from a handful of countries, the new mission is a strategic move to secure the supply chain and to position India as a key player in the global EV market. During his address, the Prime Minister highlighted that the new mission will see more extensive exploration activities conducted across the country to discover reserves of critical minerals. He stated that the government is fully aware of the challenges posed by shortages and is taking proactive steps to build a more resilient and self-reliant economy.

The event in Gujarat, which also saw the inauguration of a new lithium-ion battery plant, was hailed by the Prime Minister as a new chapter in India’s “Make in India, Make for the World” journey. He revealed that the electric vehicles manufactured in India will be exported to over 100 countries, including Japan and Europe, a testament to the global confidence in India’s manufacturing capabilities. He also made a powerful statement about his definition of “Swadeshi,” stating that what matters is the work done by Indians, regardless of who makes the initial investment. This is a clear message to both domestic and international investors that the government is committed to creating a conducive environment for manufacturing and innovation.

The launch of the mission is a key component of the government’s broader economic strategy, which includes an emphasis on sustainable growth and technological innovation. PM Modi pointed out that in the last decade, electronics production in the country has increased by 500 per cent, mobile phone output has surged by 2,700 per cent, and defence production has grown by 200 per cent. He attributed this phenomenal growth to India’s democratic strength, demographic dividend, and a large pool of skilled labour, which he said creates a “win-win situation” for investors and partners. The National Critical Mineral Mission is a clear step towards building on this momentum and ensuring India’s energy security and long-term economic prosperity.