India and France have taken a significant step toward strengthening cooperation in the critical minerals sector by holding the first India–France Critical Minerals Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting.
The meeting was co-chaired by Benjamin Gallezot, France’s Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Minerals & Metals Supplies. During the discussions, both sides identified shared priorities in securing battery minerals and emphasized the urgent need to launch concrete collaborative projects in France, India, and other strategically important countries.
Representatives also explored ways to build resilient and sustainable supply chains for critical minerals, which are essential for electric vehicles, clean energy technologies, and advanced manufacturing.
The meeting was attended by the Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM) of France and the Geological Survey of India (GSI), both of which have a long-standing history of cooperation. The two geological organizations discussed expanding their collaboration to strengthen geological knowledge, resource mapping, and research across the entire critical minerals value chain.
The inaugural Joint Working Group marks a key milestone in the India–France strategic partnership, reflecting both countries’ commitment to enhancing cooperation in securing critical mineral resources and supporting the global clean energy transition.