India Seeks to Deepen Critical Mineral Partnerships with South African Development Community

India plans to create dependable supply chains for its essential minerals by strengthening ties with the nations in the South African Development Community per an upcoming research study by Veda Vaidyanathan at CSEP.

The National Critical Minerals Mission launched in January 2025 will help India form new mineral partnerships outside its usual suppliers. In 52 years between 1970 and 2022 the SADC nations in southern Africa produced more critical minerals worldwide than any other region according to the British Geological Survey. These nations provide India with graphite, platinum, copper, nickel, and cobalt which are necessary for transforming to green power generation.

India needs to use its ongoing diplomatic relationships from the last ten years with SADC nations to get access to essential minerals before other global competitors take them. Since 2014 India has boosted its Africa relations by opening 18 diplomatic missions and increasing high-level meetings throughout the continent. Several countries build their mining presence in Africa including the US, EU, Japan, and most significantly China which took control of more mines by 21.3% since 2019.

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Based on established political connections the Indian government should pick specific SADC nations for joint action in mining critical materials to oppose worldwide competitors.