India’s growing dependence on imported critical minerals is emerging as a major challenge to its clean energy ambitions, according to a report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). The study warns that reliance on overseas supplies of minerals essential for batteries, solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles could expose the country to supply disruptions, price volatility and strategic vulnerabilities.
Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and rare earth elements are vital for the energy transition. As India accelerates renewable power capacity, battery storage deployment and electric mobility adoption, demand for these inputs is expected to rise sharply over the coming decade.
The report noted that limited domestic reserves, slow mining development and insufficient processing capacity have increased India’s exposure to concentrated global supply chains. Many of these minerals are sourced from a small number of countries, making imports vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions and logistical bottlenecks.
Analysts said the issue goes beyond trade dependence, as control over mineral supply chains is becoming central to industrial competitiveness and national energy security. Countries seeking leadership in clean technologies are increasingly investing in upstream mining assets, refining facilities and recycling ecosystems.
The IEEFA report is understood to recommend faster exploration, policy incentives for domestic mining, overseas resource partnerships and expansion of recycling infrastructure to recover valuable materials from used batteries and electronics. Strengthening processing and refining capacity within India could also reduce import exposure.
India has set ambitious targets for renewable energy expansion and electric vehicle growth, making secure access to critical minerals increasingly important. Experts said addressing supply chain risks now will be essential to ensure the country’s clean energy transition remains affordable, resilient and strategically independent.
