The India-United States (US) Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology (TRUST) Initiative will play a pivotal role in advancing India’s National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). This mission, backed by a ?34,300 crore investment over seven years (until 2030-31), aims to secure India’s access to strategic minerals essential for high-tech industries.

During their meeting in Washington, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump emphasized the need for resilient supply chains in critical minerals, advanced materials, and pharmaceuticals. Both nations have launched a joint recovery and processing initiative for minerals like lithium and rare earth elements, crucial for clean energy, semiconductors, and battery technologies.

The NCMM is designed to develop a domestic stockpile of critical minerals, covering the entire value chain from exploration and mining to processing and recovery from end-of-life products. It also encourages Indian public and private companies to acquire overseas mineral assets and establish partnerships with resource-rich nations.

According to R.K. Sharma, Special Advisor at the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI), the TRUST initiative will significantly accelerate India’s efforts to secure vital resources and reduce dependence on imports.

Beyond minerals, the India-US partnership will extend to economic corridors and connectivity infrastructure under the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the I2U2 framework. These projects aim to enhance trade routes, improve logistics, and strengthen global supply networks.

With the TRUST initiative reinforcing the National Critical Mineral Mission, India is poised to become a key player in the global mineral economy while deepening its strategic partnership with the US in technology, trade, and energy security.

The India-United States (US) Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology (TRUST) Initiative will play a pivotal role in advancing India’s National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). This mission, backed by a ?34,300 crore investment over seven years (until 2030-31), aims to secure India’s access to strategic minerals essential for high-tech industries.

During their meeting in Washington, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump emphasized the need for resilient supply chains in critical minerals, advanced materials, and pharmaceuticals. Both nations have launched a joint recovery and processing initiative for minerals like lithium and rare earth elements, crucial for clean energy, semiconductors, and battery technologies.

The NCMM is designed to develop a domestic stockpile of critical minerals, covering the entire value chain from exploration and mining to processing and recovery from end-of-life products. It also encourages Indian public and private companies to acquire overseas mineral assets and establish partnerships with resource-rich nations.

According to R.K. Sharma, Special Advisor at the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI), the TRUST initiative will significantly accelerate India’s efforts to secure vital resources and reduce dependence on imports.

Beyond minerals, the India-US partnership will extend to economic corridors and connectivity infrastructure under the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the I2U2 framework. These projects aim to enhance trade routes, improve logistics, and strengthen global supply networks.

With the TRUST initiative reinforcing the National Critical Mineral Mission, India is poised to become a key player in the global mineral economy while deepening its strategic partnership with the US in technology, trade, and energy security.