India and United States sign framework agreement for critical minerals and rare earths supply chain

Key facts

• India and the United States (US) signed a framework agreement titled Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths in New Delhi on 26 May 2026.
• The agreement was signed by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to deepen cooperation in mining, processing, recycling, and related investments.
• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the framework seeks to strengthen resilient supply chains and promote collaboration in financing and management of critical minerals scrap.
• The signing marks a milestone in the vision shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald J. Trump during the visit to Washington, D.C. in February 2025.
• India previously became a signatory to the US-led Pax Silica initiative on 20 February 2026 and partners with the US under the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE) initiative.