New Delhi: Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper launched the India-UK minerals observatory in New Delhi on Wednesday to strengthen critical mineral supply chains and improve cooperation between the two countries.
The initiative marked a major step in the growing partnership between India and the United Kingdom on critical minerals. It aims to support clean energy transitions, advanced manufacturing, electric mobility and emerging technologies through stronger supply chain resilience.
Addressing the event, Kishan Reddy said critical minerals were essential for modern economies and strategic industries. He stated that the India-UK minerals observatory would improve supply chain intelligence, support evidence-based policymaking and advance the goals of the National Critical Mineral Mission.
He also said the initiative reflected India’s commitment to building diversified and secure critical mineral value chains through international cooperation.
India-UK minerals observatory to provide market intelligence
Yvette Cooper said India and the UK shared a common interest in developing resilient and sustainable critical mineral supply chains. She added that greater access to critical minerals and stronger information-sharing could boost economic growth and improve supply chain security.
The observatory is a joint initiative of TEXMiN, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and the University of Cambridge. It was announced during bilateral discussions between the Prime Ministers of India and the UK in October 2025. Later, both sides formalised the project through a research collaboration agreement signed in March 2026.
Officials demonstrated the platform during the launch event. The system will monitor global critical mineral supply chains, identify supply risks, generate market intelligence and support decision-making by policymakers, industry leaders and researchers.
Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Chairman of TEXMiN’s Governing Board, said the initiative would support the National Critical Mineral Mission and the India-UK Technology Security Initiative. Officials said the platform would help create secure and sustainable global supply chains in the years ahead.
