India and Saudi Arabia have agreed to enhance collaboration in the critical minerals sector, aiming to secure essential resources for clean energy technologies and sustainable development. India’s Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy met with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef to explore investment opportunities and technological partnerships in mining.
GSITI Named Centre of Excellence
One of the key developments from the meeting was the designation of the Geological Survey of India Training Institute (GSITI) as a centre of excellence under the Future Minerals Forum (FMF). This initiative is intended to provide specialized training for geologists from Saudi Arabia, Africa, and Central Asia, contributing to skill development and capacity-building in the global mining sector.
Focus on Supply Chain Resilience and Clean Energy
Discussions centered around strategies to develop a resilient mineral supply chain that would reduce dependency on imports. The two countries are exploring joint ventures for processing critical minerals, which are essential to clean energy technologies such as solar power and battery storage. Both sides also emphasized the need to adopt advanced mining technologies for sustainable exploration and extraction.
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Strengthening Global Partnerships
The meeting built on India’s engagement at the Future Minerals Forum 2025 in Riyadh. Reddy reiterated the country’s focus on mineral security during the event. He also engaged with representatives from Brazil, Italy, and Morocco for further collaboration.
These discussions are part of India’s broader efforts under the National Critical Minerals Mission. The mission aims to secure key resources needed for the energy transition and promote sustainable development.
The partnership between India and Saudi Arabia is expected to strengthen global supply chains. It will also enhance access to critical minerals essential for clean energy projects.
