India, France discuss ways to boost cooperation in critical minerals sector

New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) India and France, as part of a key meeting, have discussed bolstering cooperation in the exploration and processing of critical minerals and rare earth elements to build resilient and sustainable supply chains. Benjamin Gallezot, France's Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Minerals and Metals Supplies, visited New Delhi on Monday-Tuesday with Olivier Frezot, Regional Director for Asia, Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM), the French Geological Survey, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday. On Monday, Gallezot co-chaired a meeting of the first India-France Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals, with Kadam Sandeep Vasant, Joint Secretary, National Critical Mineral Mission, Ministry of Mines, it said. “The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the exploration, processing and recycling of critical minerals and rare earth elements, with the objective of building resilient and sustainable supply chains,” the statement issued by the French embassy here said. The in-depth exchanges allowed the two countries to “identify shared interests and develop collaboration projects” in France, India and other key countries, it said The BRGM and the Geological Survey of India, which have a long-standing cooperation, participated in the discussions and “identified avenues for joint work” to enhance knowledge of the entire critical minerals value chain. During the visit, Gallezot met Pavan Kapoor, Deputy National Security Advisor, and participated in an interaction with representatives of Indian companies across a wide range of sectors, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), it said. The visit builds on the France-India Joint Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in Critical Minerals, signed during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in February, the statement said. The declaration provides a framework for closer cooperation in exploration, mining, research and innovation, diversification of value chains, supply chain resilience and circularity. Established in December 2022, the French Interministerial Delegation for the Supply of Strategic Minerals and Metals coordinates the French government's efforts to secure strategic mineral and metal supplies, the statement said. It works across ministries to strengthen supply chain resilience and support France's industrial, energy and strategic priorities, it said. PTI KND ARI