China Promises to Address India’s Concerns Over Rare Earths
New Delhi
China has pledged to address India’s key needs for rare earths, fertilisers, and tunnel boring machines, according to a top Indian source, amid ongoing efforts to rebuild relations affected by the 2020 border clash. The commitment was made during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India for the 24th round of border talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Wang is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Doval highlighted the improved atmosphere, noting, “Borders have been quiet. There has been peace and tranquillity, and our bilateral engagements have been more substantial.” He added that the new environment is helping both countries advance in multiple areas of cooperation. Wang emphasized that the stable and healthy development of China-India relations serves the fundamental interests of both populations and called for enhanced trust and dialogue. He urged India and China to seek consensus on border control and demarcation while expanding cooperation in economic and strategic sectors.
An Indian official confirmed that Wang assured Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar that Beijing is addressing India’s requirements, although it remains unclear if China will expedite export licenses or offer blanket exemptions. While China has previously accelerated rare earth exports to Europe and the United States, India’s imports of rare earth magnets remain 58% below January levels, according to Chinese customs data.
India holds the world’s fifth-largest rare earth reserves, estimated at 6.9 million metric tons, but lacks domestic magnet production, making it heavily dependent on imports from China. Analysts say the discussions signal a positive shift in bilateral trade and strategic cooperation, with both sides aiming to strengthen economic ties alongside peaceful border management, ensuring long-term stability and industrial growth.
