As critical minerals have emerged as a strategic enabler for national security, defence capability development, and technological sovereignty, India needs to have secure and resilient mineral supply chains, observed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC).
During a high-level, closed-door roundtable discussion on the theme 'Minerals That Matter: Geopolitics, Sovereignty & Value Chains, ' recently, Air Marshal Dixit observed that modern defence systems, including jet engines, missiles, precision munitions, radars, satellites, batteries, and semiconductors, are dependent on assured access to these minerals.
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He stressed that global supply chains for critical minerals are heavily concentrated and increasingly influenced by export restrictions and geopolitical tensions, which makes overreliance on imports a strategic risk. Air Marshal Dixit noted that self-sufficient defence manufacturing and operational preparedness are closely linked to secure and resilient mineral supply chains, in line with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
He highlighted India’s initiatives, including the identification of critical minerals, the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission, and the government’s efforts to strengthen the full value chain—from extraction and processing to manufacturing and recycling. Air Marshal Dixit remarked that these measures are essential for turning policy intent into tangible results.
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The event, which brought together policymakers, defence experts, industry leaders, technology innovators, academia, and intellectual property professionals to explore India’s strategic approach to critical minerals amid a rapidly evolving global environment, was hosted by Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), in collaboration with IP Bazzaar.
During the event, Air Marshal Dixit also inaugurated a set of 30 technical reports on critical minerals, presenting detailed IP landscape assessments and market analyses.