India boosts rare earth efforts to diversify global supply amid rising clean energy demand.

India, holding 6% of global rare earth reserves, is advancing its role in the clean energy transition despite producing less than 1% of global supply. Key moves include removing IREL (India) Ltd from the U.S. export control list, launching a domestic samarium-cobalt magnet plant in Visakhapatnam, and joining the U.S.-led Mineral Security Partnership. Initiatives like the National Critical Mineral Mission and reforms under the MMDR Act and PLI schemes aim to boost mining, refining, and private investment. With China still dominating global production—70% in mining and 90% in refining—efforts to diversify supply chains are growing, and India’s progress could help meet soaring demand projected to rise 300% to 700% by 2040.