Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasizes India's transition from a follower to a leader in emerging technologies, particularly in critical minerals, at the 3rd Global Summit on Advanced Materials, Critical Minerals, & Metals.
India is no longer content with simply following others in the realm of emerging technologies; it aspires to shape its own global role, particularly in critical minerals. According to Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, these minerals will drive the next phase of technological development, extending beyond mining to energy security, industrial competitiveness, and national security.
Dr. Jitendra Singh made this statement during his keynote address at the 3rd Global Summit on Advanced Materials, Critical Minerals, & Metals, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at Silver Oak Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
The summit, themed “Building Resilient Value Chains for a Sustainable and Competitive Future,” brought together government, industry, research, and international stakeholders. Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the global economy is undergoing a paradigm shift, with clean energy, electric mobility, semiconductors, telecommunications, aerospace, defence, and nuclear energy emerging as major drivers of technological and industrial transformation.
He further explained that India's changing technological landscape necessitates building capabilities across the entire value chain of critical minerals and advanced materials—from exploration and extraction to refining, processing, engineering, and manufacturing. Domestic resources must be combined optimally with international resources while indigenous technologies and globally competitive benchmarks are developed simultaneously.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also stressed the importance of a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach for advanced materials and critical minerals, with industry being an integral partner. India needs to pursue global strategies and international partnerships while strengthening its domestic technological capabilities.
Referring to the government’s approach towards strategic sectors, the Minister mentioned that significant steps have been taken to bring private industry into areas that were traditionally considered beyond its reach, such as the opening up of the nuclear sector to private players. He invited international investors and industry, including from Canada and other countries, to participate in the opportunities emerging from India’s opening up of the nuclear sector.
He also spoke about the RDI Fund, saying that the initiative announced by the Prime Minister has now moved into implementation. Such initiatives can help accelerate private-sector participation in strategic areas where industry has traditionally been hesitant to invest.
Dr. Jitendra Singh called for early industry linkage with research and innovation, emphasizing potential industry partners should be brought on board right from the beginning to ensure research initiatives remain aligned with market requirements and improve their prospects of becoming commercially viable.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
