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COVER STORY JUNE 05, 2026 | The Indian Eye 4

QUAD MEETING

INDIA’S

STRATEGIC MOVE

The New Delhi meeting of the Quad underlined the grouping’s growing role in shaping Indo-Pacific

geopolitics, even as structural and strategic challenges continue to test its long-term cohesion.

OUR BUREAU ty participation, insurance, subsidies
and mobilization of private capital.
New Delhi
Such tools indicate recognition that
he latest Quad meeting in critical minerals projects are highly
New Delhi marked anoth- capital-intensive and often vulnera-
Ter significant moment in the ble to market volatility and geopolit-
evolution of one of the world’s most ical risk.
closely watched strategic groupings. The emphasis on cooperation in
What began as a loose consultation permitting and regulatory process-
mechanism among India, the Unit- es, geological mapping and resource
ed States, Japan and Australia have assessment also suggests the Quad is
steadily transformed into a platform attempting to address long-standing
that increasingly addresses some of bottlenecks in supply chain devel-
the most critical geopolitical and opment. Equally significant was the
economic issues of the 21st century. grouping’s commitment to coordi-
The announcement of a Quad Crit- nated measures against “non-market
ical Minerals Initiative Framework, policies and unfair trade practices” in
alongside new energy security coor- critical minerals markets. Though the
dination mechanisms, demonstrated statement avoided direct references,
how the grouping is now moving be- the language clearly reflected broad-
yond rhetoric into concrete strategic er concerns over concentrated global
cooperation. control of processing capabilities and
At the center of the New Delhi strategic resource flows.
deliberations was the recognition that Another major dimension of the
future geopolitical power will depend New Delhi meeting was sustainabili-
not only on military capability but ty and recycling. The Quad countries
also on control over technology sup- proposed collaboration in recovering
ply chains, strategic resources and en- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian and recycling critical minerals from
ergy resilience. The Quad countries e-waste and scrap materials, includ-
unveiled an ambitious framework to Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong and Japan Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi during ing investment in recycling technol-
mobilize up to USD 20 billion in gov- the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in New Delhi (@SenatorWong X/ANI Photo) ogies and collection networks. This
ernment and private-sector support reflects an understanding that future
for critical minerals supply chains these supply chains increasingly prioritizing projects located in Quad resource security cannot rely solely
covering mining, processing and re- translates into geopolitical leverage. countries, operated by companies on extraction. Recycling and circular
cycling. The initiative reflects grow- By launching a coordinated initia- headquartered in Quad nations, or economic systems are becoming cen-
ing anxiety among major democra- tive, the Quad countries signalled supplying Quad markets. This ap- tral to long-term strategic planning.
cies over global resource monopolies that they view economic security as proach reflects an effort to reduce The bilateral India-US agree-
and vulnerabilities in advanced tech- inseparable from national security. strategic dependence on external ment on “Securing of Supply in the
nology manufacturing. The framework announced in actors and create trusted networks Mining and Processing of Critical
Critical minerals have emerged New Delhi aims to support secure among like-minded democracies. Minerals and Rare Earths” added
as one of the defining strategic assets supply chains for critical minerals The proposed mechanisms for another layer to the geopolitical sig-
of the modern era. Minerals such as used in advanced technologies and implementation further reveal the se- nificance of the summit. Signed by
lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth industrial manufacturing amid in- riousness of the initiative. The Quad External Affairs Minister S Jaishan-
elements are essential for semicon- tensifying global competition over countries plan to support strategic kar and US Secretary of State Marco
ductors, electric vehicles, batteries, strategic resources. Importantly, the minerals projects through export Rubio, the agreement seeks coop-
telecommunications systems and initiative seeks to create what offi- credit agencies, development finance eration across mining, processing,
defense technologies. Control over cials described as a “Quad nexus” by institutions, guarantees, loans, equi- Continued on next page... >>

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