As per a report commissioned by the Department of Scienceand Technolog...
Justification: Option A and C: India is endowed with vast mineral
resources - it is among the top five nations with reserves of rare-earth
minerals - its potential is untapped.
• India currently has a little over 2% share of global output of rare
earths. Their production has also increased post-1995. But, more
than 97% supply lies with China.
Option B: These items are not in MTCR lists. MTCR list covers ballistic
missile technology.
Option D: China currently accounts for an overwhelming 97% of global
production, and it has not been shy of using this dominance as a bargaining
chip against other countries.
• Rare earths are vital future resources and India won’t like any
country to have a monopoly. So, it is planning to negotiate contracts
for future supplies.
Learning: 12 minerals out of 49 that were evaluated as ‘most critical’ for
India’s manufacturing sector by 2030.
• These are beryllium, chromium, germanium, limestone, niobium,
graphite, rare earths, rhenium, strontium, tantalum and zirconium.
• These elements are critical to many industries of the future—from
smart phones to hybrid cars to solar panels.
• There is a worldwide scramble to get hold of rare earths. Prices have
soared in recent times.
• India is 100 per cent import-dependent for seven out of 12 identified
critical minerals and does not have any declared resources for them,
except light rare-earths (found along with monazite sands) and
beryllium.
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As per a report commissioned by the Department of Scienceand Technolog...
Actually rare earth metals are uneven distributed over the world. so, India is not known about the presence of such rare earth metals in own territorial land. so India use to purchase such metals on low cost as compare to invest on resurch & development program...
As per a report commissioned by the Department of Scienceand Technolog...
India's Dependence on China for Rare Earth Minerals
Reasons behind India's dependence on China:
There are several reasons why India is heavily dependent on China for sourcing rare earth minerals:
1. Lack of reserves: India does not have any significant reserves of rare-earth minerals. These minerals are essential for various industries, including electronics, defense, and renewable energy. The absence of domestic reserves makes India reliant on imports.
2. Sensitive imports from MTCR nations: India, as a non-member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), faces restrictions on importing sensitive technologies from MTCR nations. Rare earth minerals are often used in the production of advanced defense equipment, and the ban on sensitive imports limits India's options for sourcing these minerals.
3. Lack of extraction technology: India lacks the necessary technology and expertise to extract rare earth minerals on a large scale. Extracting these minerals is a complex process that requires specialized equipment and techniques. Without the proper technology, India cannot tap into its own reserves even if they were available.
4. China's leading global supplier: China is the world's leading supplier of rare earth minerals. It has vast reserves and advanced extraction technology, allowing it to meet global demand. China's dominance in the rare earth market gives it significant bargaining power, making it the go-to supplier for many countries, including India.
5. Criticality of rare earth minerals: Rare earth minerals are crucial for the manufacturing sector, especially for high-tech industries. These minerals are used in the production of electronics, magnets, catalysts, and renewable energy technologies. India's growing manufacturing sector requires a steady supply of these minerals to sustain its industrial growth.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, India's heavy dependence on China for rare earth minerals can be attributed to the absence of domestic reserves, restrictions on sensitive imports, lack of extraction technology, and China's status as a leading global supplier. To reduce this dependence and secure its supply chain, India needs to invest in domestic exploration and extraction capabilities, develop partnerships with other reliable suppliers, and promote research and development in alternative materials and technologies.