Washington, DC — January 11, 2026
At a time of heightened trade tensions between New Delhi and Washington, the United States has extended a significant diplomatic invitation to India that is drawing global attention. India has been invited to a special meeting of G7 finance ministers focused on critical minerals, a move widely seen as a strategic signal amid shifting global supply chains and rising concerns over China’s dominance.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that India has been invited to the high-level meeting scheduled for Monday in Washington. The discussion will center on securing supply chains for rare and strategic minerals essential to defense systems, semiconductors, renewable energy technologies, and electric vehicle batteries. Australia and several other non-G7 nations are also expected to participate.
The invitation comes as India–U.S. trade negotiations remain strained, with President Donald Trump previously warning of tariffs as high as 500 percent on certain imports. Against that backdrop, Washington’s outreach is being viewed as more than a routine diplomatic engagement.
Speaking to a private media outlet, Bessent said he has been advocating for a focused discussion on critical minerals since last summer’s G7 leaders’ summit. While a virtual meeting was held in December, officials say the Washington gathering is far more consequential, aimed at improving coordination amid rising global supply risks.
Bessent noted that while India has been invited, New Delhi has not yet publicly confirmed its participation. The G7 includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and the European Union.
The urgency behind the meeting stems from heavy global dependence on China. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), China controls between 47 percent and 87 percent of global refining capacity for key critical minerals such as rare earth elements, lithium, cobalt, graphite, and copper.
In recent years, China has tightened export controls on several of these materials, heightening concerns in Western capitals. Reports indicate restrictions on exports of rare earths and magnets to Japanese firms, along with curbs on dual-use items linked to Japan’s defense sector. These developments have added strategic weight to Monday’s meeting.
Australia is expected to play a central role in the discussions. In October, Canberra signed a major agreement with Washington aimed at countering China’s influence, including an $8.5 billion critical minerals project pipeline and plans for a strategic mineral reserve to cushion supply shocks during global disruptions.
While geopolitical tensions remain high, Bessent acknowledged the complexity of the current supply chain reality, noting that China continues to meet some of its commitments, including purchasing U.S. soybeans and supplying critical minerals to American companies.
For India, the invitation underscores its rising global relevance. Analysts see the move as part of a broader effort by advanced economies to reduce dependence on a single supplier and strengthen collective economic and technological resilience.
The timing is particularly significant for New Delhi. India has identified lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements as strategic resources critical to its clean energy transition and manufacturing ambitions. The government has accelerated overseas mineral acquisitions through state-run firms while boosting domestic exploration and private sector participation.
Closer cooperation with the G7 could provide India greater access to technology, financing, and long-term supply partnerships, potentially positioning the country as a reliable alternative hub in the global critical minerals supply chain.
