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Why is Quad Launching a Critical Minerals Initiative Against China?

The Quad alliance has taken a decisive step to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and graphite. These resources are essential for electric vehicles, drones, and advanced tech, making supply chain stability crucial for economic security.

Why is This Important for Exams?
Understanding global economic strategies, especially concerning critical minerals, is vital for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and PSC, where questions on international relations, trade policies, and geopolitical alliances are common. This topic also relates to design and technology entrance exams (NID, NIFT, FDDI) as critical minerals are key in manufacturing high-tech products.

Quad’s Critical Minerals Initiative: Key Highlights
Objective: Reduce dependence on China, which controls a major share of the global critical minerals supply.
Focus Areas:
Diversifying supply chains to avoid economic coercion.
Promoting investments in mineral processing and recycling.
Strengthening Indo-Pacific energy security.
Upcoming Event: A logistics conference in Mumbai (October 2025) under the “Quad Ports of the Future Partnership”.

China’s Dominance & Global Concerns
China manipulates prices and restricts exports, creating supply risks.
Critical minerals are essential for EVs, renewable energy, and defense technology.
Quad’s initiative aims to ensure stable, transparent, and resilient supply chains.

Sample Questions & Answers for Competitive Exams
1. What is the main goal of the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative?
Ans: To reduce reliance on China by securing and diversifying critical mineral supply chains for economic security.
2. Which minerals are considered ‘critical’ in this initiative?
Ans: Lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite—essential for EVs, batteries, and advanced technology.
3. Why is China’s dominance in critical minerals a concern?
Ans: China controls supply chains, leading to price manipulation, export restrictions, and economic coercion risks.
4. Where will the Quad’s logistics conference be held in 2025?
Ans: Mumbai, under the “Quad Ports of the Future Partnership”.
5. How does this initiative impact India’s economic security?
Ans: It strengthens India’s access to vital minerals, reduces China’s leverage, and supports domestic tech and defense industries.

Final Thoughts
The Quad’s move highlights a strategic shift in global trade dynamics, emphasizing self-reliance and regional cooperation. For aspirants, this development is crucial for understanding contemporary geopolitical and economic trends—making it a potential question in UPSC, SSC, and design entrance exams.