Critical Rare Metal and Collaboration of India and Japan

In a zero-carbon scenario, the energy sector's demand for critical minerals might increase by a factor of six by the year 2040. Japan and India have established targets of attaining net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and 2070, respectively. Nevertheless, their supply chains for critical minerals are currently incapable of fulfilling the ambitious objectives for the clean energy technologies like electric vehicles, solar and wind energy, battery storage, power transmission, and green hydrogen. In response to the supply chain bottlenecks for critical minerals, countries are adopting resilience measures by engaging in cross-country collaborations and global partnerships. India's untapped reserves and rising production potential, in conjunction with Japan's financial, technological, and market capacity, are increasingly serving as examples of the development of such resilient partnerships. Japan and India both face formidable yet complementary challenges: Japan's domestic reserves are virtually nonexistent. India is unable to take advantage of its huge terrestrial rare earth metal reserves due to a lack of funding for research and development and technological innovation. The combined strength of India's reserve and Japan's technology has the capacity to significantly enhance human security, environmental sustainability, economic growth, technical innovation, and overall supply chain resilience. Given the above, the purpose of this chapter is to examine the potential of the India-Japan partnership in establishing a sustainable supply chain for critical minerals. The chapter has examined the prospects for India-Japan cooperation in the areas of: (a) diminishing reliance on Chinese imports; (b) fostering self-reliance; (c) attaining energy transition goals; and (d) working towards resilience. The first part of the chapter discusses the role of rare metals in technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and resilience initiatives. The initial section of the chapter examines the significance of rare metals in technological innovations, environmental sustainability, and resilience projects. The next section elucidates India's significant rare earth potential in relation to its reserves, production, and policies. The subsequent part explores Japan's capacity for recycling rare earth elements, despite its lack of reserves. The concluding portion examines the India-Japan partnership in rare metal collaboration, aimed at enhancing resilience and decreasing reliance on China.