India turns to Myanmar to secure critical minerals

India is looking to mineral-rich northern Myanmar as it tries to secure the raw materials behind its green transition, advanced technology and defence capabilities. Rare earths and other critical minerals are needed for solar panels, wind-turbine magnets, electric-vehicle batteries, semiconductors and systems such as radar, sonar and precision guidance.

New Delhi has placed the issue within its wider development and national-security agenda through the National Critical Mineral Mission. Alongside expanding exploration and mining at home, India is pursuing partnerships abroad to diversify supply, strengthen resilience and reduce exposure to external shocks.

The search has taken on added urgency as China tightens controls on critical-mineral exports and related technologies. China dominates several stages of global rare-earth processing, while Myanmar’s production has expanded sharply, making its deposits increasingly important to India.

Accessing those resources will not be straightforward. India must navigate Myanmar’s geopolitics and conflict, difficult terrain, inadequate infrastructure and environmental concerns. It must also contend with China’s established position in mineral processing.

Mining and minerals cooperation between India and Myanmar has gained momentum since 2024. In June 2026, the two sides discussed deepening cooperation in critical and rare minerals alongside trade, security and connectivity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar’s leadership held high-level discussions in New Delhi, building on historical, cultural and people-to-people ties. In July, India’s ambassador to Myanmar said both countries’ leaderships were paying increasing attention to rare-earth and critical-mineral cooperation. That renewed focus could support technical exchanges, business partnerships and capacity-building initiatives, although substantial obstacles remain.