Japan-India Rare Earth Exploration Talks

Japan is in talks with India to jointly explore Rare-earth element deposits in India — Rajasthan, India, aiming to reduce its dependence on China for critical magnet manufacturing supplies. India's Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy announced the discovery of 1.29 million metric tons of rare earth oxides in India — Rajasthan and India — Gujarat. Japan plans to provide extraction technology and funding in exchange for a stable supply of rare earths. This collaboration follows a preliminary pact on critical minerals signed last year between Japan and India. Both nations seek to develop industrial-scale facilities to process rare earth elements to high purity levels. The move comes amid rising tensions with China, which recently prohibited the export of dual-use items, including seven rare earth elements, to 20 Japanese entities. Japan is also exploring collaboration with Indian companies for Galan Lithium, Copper, and Cobalt exploration in Africa.