A counter to China: Quad to create critical minerals’ supply chain (The Indian Express)
The Quad nations—India, Australia, Japan, and the US—have jointly launched a critical minerals security initiative amid growing concerns over China’s near-total control of rare earth processing, vital for EVs, semiconductors, and defence technologies. China currently holds a dominant position in rare earth magnet production, particularly neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets used in EV motors, and has imposed export restrictions on several heavy rare earths and high-tech materials, disrupting global supply chains. India’s electric vehicle sector is already feeling the pinch, as none of its applications to source rare earth magnets from China have been approved, raising concerns over production delays and long-term dependency.
Risky to rely on only a few nations for mfg, supply chains: CII prez (Business Standard)
CII President Rajiv Memani has warned that China’s recent withdrawal of staff from the Foxconn plant in Tamil Nadu and its rare earth export restrictions are a reminder of the risks of concentrated global supply chains, especially amid Quad-related geopolitical tensions. Despite these uncertainties, he projected India’s GDP to grow between 6.4% and 6.7% in FY26, supported by strong domestic demand, a good monsoon outlook, and RBI’s recent moves including a 100 bps CRR cut injecting ₹2.5 trillion liquidity and a 50 bps interest rate reduction. On trade, he stressed the need for a phased and balanced India-US bilateral trade agreement, while acknowledging the political and sectoral sensitivities around agriculture and dairy access.
India, U.S. to ink 10-year defence framework: Pentagon (mint)
India and the US have agreed to formalise a new 10-year defence framework aimed at deepening strategic and industrial cooperation, with the agreement expected to be signed later this year. During a recent call, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged faster delivery of GE F404 engines for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and pushed for finalising the HAL–GE Aerospace deal for joint production of F414 engines in India, as delays have impacted IAF’s aircraft delivery schedules. Both sides also committed to expanding joint military exercises, supply chain integration, logistics sharing, and collaborations with like-minded partners to strengthen interoperability and regional security.
