India gets BIG lead on super magnets, signs deals with eight countries to…; bad news for China due to…

The development comes after China restricted the export of  rare earth magnets to India following Operation Sindoor, citing "national security" concerns.

India rare earth magnets: In a significant move that could deal a severe blow to China’s monopoly over rare earth elements (REEs), India is in talks with several countries who have sufficient reserves of rare earth minerals. The development comes after China restricted the export of  rare earth magnets to India following Operation Sindoor, citing “national security” concerns.

Which countries has India signed agreements with?

In a written reply during the ongoing monsoon session of the Parliament, Union Minister Jitendra Singh informed the House that India has already agreements to procure super magnets aka rare earth magnets and other rare earth minerals from at least eight countries and talks are underway with Brazil and Dominican Republic.

‘To develop bilateral cooperation with countries rich in mineral resources, the Ministry of Mines has signed agreements with the governments of many countries. These countries include Australia, Argentina, Zambia, Peru, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and organizations like the International Energy Agency (IEA),” Singh revealed.

Jitendra Singh, who is the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Department of Atomic Energy, further stated that the Ministry of Mines has also initiated the process of entering into Government-to-Government (G2G) MoUs with Brazil and Dominican Republic to develop cooperation in the field of rare earth minerals and critical minerals.

“The primary objective of these agreements is to create a developed framework for research, development and innovations in the mining sector, with a special focus on rare earth elements (REE) and critical minerals,” he added.

How India is working to develop new supply chain of rare minerals?

According to the minister, the Indian government is working strengthen the supply chain of critical minerals with initiatives like Mineral Security Partnership, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), India-UK Technology and Security Initiative (TSI), Quad and Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).

Does India have rare mineral reserves?

As per official data, India has around 7.23 million tonnes of rare earth element oxides and 13.15 million tonnes of monazite– an important source of thorium used in generating nuclear energy. Monazite reserves have been discovered in coastal areas, red sand and alluvial soil areas of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Singh stated that about 1.29 million tonnes of rare earth minerals have been found in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, adding that the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has discovered a whopping 482.6 million tonnes of resources of rare earth element (REE) ore at various cut-off grades in 34 exploration projects.

Why India needs rare earth magnets?

Super magnets or rare earth magnets are used in the manufacturing of ll kinds of advanced equipment ranging from electric vehicles (EV) to military drones and radar systems. According to industry estimates, India expects to import 700 tonnes of magnets worth $30 million this year, a major chunk of which comes from China.

As per customs data, Chinese exports of permanent magnets  fell 51% to 2,626 tonnes in April after the export ban came into force, while India imported 460 tonnes of rare earth magnets, most of which came from China, in the financial year that ended on March 31, 2025.

According to official estimates, China controls more than 90% production of rare earth magnets, but imposed restrictions on their export in April in response to the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.