India-UK Join Hands to Launch Critical Minerals Observatory for Secure Supply Chains

Jun 06, 2026

Overview

India and the UK launched the Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO) on 5 June 2026 in New Delhi. The AI-driven platform will monitor global supply chains, identify risks, and provide real-time market intelligence. The initiative aims to secure critical minerals essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.

A Strategic Partnership for the Future

On 5 June 2026, India and the United Kingdom took a big step together. They launched the Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO) in New Delhi. This is not just another agreement. It is a joint effort to track and secure critical minerals. These minerals are the hidden engines of modern technology. Without them, there would be no electric vehicles, no mobile phones, no wind turbines, and no defence equipment. With this observatory, both countries aim to build strong, transparent, and resilient supply chains.

Who Launched the GSCO?

The GSCO was formally launched by G. Kishan Reddy , India’s Union Minister of Coal and Mines, and Yvette Cooper , the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary. The ceremony took place in New Delhi and was attended by senior officials, industry representatives, researchers, and policymakers from both nations. The launch was part of a broader review of the India-UK Vision 2035 , which focuses on trade, technology, defence, climate, clean energy, and education. Yvette Cooper was on a two-day visit to India, where she also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Why Are Critical Minerals Important?

Critical minerals are the building blocks of modern economies. These include lithium , cobalt , nickel , graphite , copper , and rare earth elements . They are used in:

Electric vehicle batteries
Solar panels and wind turbines
Semiconductor chips
Defence technologies
Mobile phones and laptops

As the world moves towards clean energy and digital transformation, the demand for these minerals has skyrocketed. But their supply chains are often concentrated in a few countries. This creates risks of disruption due to geopolitical tensions, trade wars, or natural disasters. The GSCO is designed to address these risks.

What Is the Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO)?

The GSCO is a data-driven platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor global critical mineral supply chains in real time. It will provide:

Real-time market intelligence on mineral flows
Identification of supply risks and disruptions
Analysis of price trends and availability
Support for evidence-based policymaking
Transparency in sourcing and processing

The platform will help governments, industries, and researchers make better decisions. It will also help both countries reduce their dependence on unreliable sources.

Who Will Run the GSCO?

The observatory is a joint initiative of three leading institutions:

Technology Innovation in Exploration and Mining Foundation (TEXMiN)
Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad
University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

TEXMiN is a technology research park supported by India’s Department of Science and Technology. IIT (ISM) Dhanbad is a premier institute for mining and mineral research. The University of Cambridge brings global expertise in supply chain analysis and critical minerals research.

How Much Will It Cost?

The GSCO will be set up with £1.2 million (about ₹12.5 crore) in funding . The money will be used to establish a satellite observatory at IIT Dhanbad’s Mining Innovation Hub. This will serve as the physical base for the platform in India.

Why Did India and UK Launch This Now?

The timing is no coincidence. In recent years, the world has seen severe disruptions in global supply chains. The COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, and tensions in West Asia have all affected the flow of critical minerals. Both India and the UK are heavily dependent on imports for these minerals. By launching the GSCO, they want to:

Reduce supply chain vulnerabilities
Diversify sources of critical minerals
Promote recycling and domestic production
Support clean energy transitions
Strengthen economic security

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy said the observatory will strengthen India’s capabilities in critical mineral supply chain intelligence and support the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) .

Connection to India’s National Critical Mineral Mission

India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in January 2025. The mission has a budget of ₹16,300 crore and will run for seven years (2024-25 to 2030-31). It aims to:

Secure India’s critical mineral supply from domestic and foreign sources
Strengthen the entire value chain from exploration to processing
Promote research and development in mineral extraction
Encourage recycling of critical minerals from e-waste

The GSCO will provide the data and intelligence needed to make the NCMM successful. It will help India identify where to invest, where to explore, and how to reduce risks.

A Bigger Picture: India-UK Vision 2035

The launch of the GSCO is part of the India-UK Vision 2035 roadmap. This vision was adopted during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to India in October 2025. It has five pillars :