Climate and Clean Energy – renewable energy, green hydrogen
Education – student exchange, university campuses
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the India-UK relationship has moved from being “historical and cultural” to becoming a “forward-looking highway of shared economic ambitions and high technology” . UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper added that the partnership has gone “from strength to strength” because of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the work under Vision 2035.
Also Announced: Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence
Along with the GSCO, India and the UK also signed an MoU to set up the Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) . This centre will help Indian Ocean states build capacity to address non-traditional maritime security threats like piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing. It will be set up by King’s College London and the National Maritime Foundation of India.
A Human Touch: Why This Matters for Ordinary People
You might wonder how an observatory for minerals affects your daily life. Here is the link: everything electronic in your home – your phone, laptop, fridge, car – depends on critical minerals. If supply chains break, prices rise. If prices rise, you pay more. By securing these supply chains, India and the UK are protecting consumers from price shocks. They are also ensuring that the transition to electric vehicles and clean energy does not get stalled due to lack of materials. In short, the GSCO is not just for governments and big companies. It is for every citizen who wants a stable, affordable, and green future.
Exam-Focused Points
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GSCO stands for Global Supply Chain Observatory (Critical Minerals)
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Launched on: 5 June 2026 in New Delhi
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Launched by: G. Kishan Reddy (India) and Yvette Cooper (UK)
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Associated framework: India-UK Vision 2035 (adopted October 2025)
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Implementing institutions: TEXMiN, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, University of Cambridge
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Funding: £1.2 million (approx. ₹12.5 crore)
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Technology used: Artificial Intelligence (AI) for real-time monitoring
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Key objectives: Monitor supply chains, identify risks, generate market intelligence, support clean energy transitions
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Related Indian scheme: National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) – ₹16,300 crore for seven years (2024-25 to 2030-31)
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Also launched alongside GSCO: Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE)
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Critical minerals examples: Lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, copper, rare earth elements
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Primary uses: EV batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, semiconductors, defence equipment
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the purpose of the Global Supply Chain Observatory?
A: The GSCO is an AI-driven platform to monitor global critical mineral supply chains in real time. It will identify supply risks, track disruptions, and provide market intelligence to help governments and industries make better decisions.
Q2: Who are the key officials who launched the GSCO?
A: The observatory was launched by G. Kishan Reddy , India’s Minister of Coal and Mines, and Yvette Cooper , the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary.
Q3: Which institutions will run the GSCO?
A: It will be jointly operated by TEXMiN (Technology Innovation in Exploration and Mining Foundation), IIT (ISM) Dhanbad , and the University of Cambridge .
Q4: How much funding has been allocated for the GSCO?
A: The observatory will be set up with £1.2 million (about ₹12.5 crore). A satellite observatory will be established at IIT Dhanbad’s Mining Innovation Hub.
Q5: How does the GSCO connect to India’s National Critical Mineral Mission?
A: The GSCO will provide supply chain intelligence and risk analysis that directly supports the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) , helping India secure its critical mineral needs and strengthen domestic capabilities.