India and Australia Collaborate on Critical Minerals and Electric Vehicles
Key Ideas
- India and Australia are exploring ways to enhance cooperation in critical minerals, battery production, and vehicle manufacturing.
- Both countries are aiming to expand their interim free trade agreement into a comprehensive pact to facilitate mutual growth.
- The government of India is focusing on promoting domestic manufacturing of electric vehicles, strengthening the charging infrastructure, and collaborating with countries like Norway and the European Union for technology exchange.
- Around 1.7 million EVs have been sold in India, with the government implementing programs like FAME and production-linked incentives to support the sector.
India and Australia are working towards increasing collaboration in the field of critical minerals and electric vehicles. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal highlighted the potential for integration in battery production, mineral processing, and vehicle manufacturing between the two nations. The Indian government has undertaken various measures to promote domestic electric vehicle manufacturing, including enhancing charging infrastructure. Australian High Commissioner Philip Green emphasized the need for a full free trade agreement to facilitate access to critical minerals for India's green transition. Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements are crucial components in clean energy technologies. India is also engaging with Norway and the European Union to explore advancements in battery technology and mineral processing. The government is actively working to support the entire EV value chain, with around 1.7 million EVs already sold in the country. Programs like FAME and production-linked incentives have been introduced to boost the sector, with plans to create a conducive ecosystem for investments and ease of doing business. The collaboration between India and Australia opens up significant opportunities in the electric vehicle sector and mineral processing, aligning with the global shift towards clean energy transitions.