EAM S Jaishankar to participate in US Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to visit the United States from February 2 to 4, 2026. During this trip, he will participate in the Critical Minerals Ministerial conference organized by the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. The event is significant for discussions on important topics such as supply chain resilience, clean energy, and strategic cooperation in critical minerals. The Critical Minerals Ministerial is a new international event that aims to bring together countries to work together on issues related to critical mineral supplies. Critical minerals are essential for many modern technologies and energy systems. Ensuring reliable and secure supply chains for these minerals is considered vital for economic growth and national security. The upcoming Ministerial conference is scheduled for February 4, 2026. It is the first such event of its kind, according to the U.S. Department of State. The goal is to strengthen cooperation among participating countries to improve how critical mineral supply chains are managed and secured. This cooperation is important for many reasons, including maintaining technological leadership, supporting energy transitions towards cleaner energy sources, and protecting economic interests. While in the United States, Minister Jaishankar will also meet with senior members of the U.S. administration. These meetings will likely focus on enhancing cooperation on critical minerals and discussing shared priorities related to the subject. The focus of the Ministerial includes several key themes. One major goal is to improve international collaboration. Countries want to work together to ensure they can rely on each other for the supply of critical minerals. This is important because these minerals are needed for a wide range of industries, including electronics, renewable energy, and national defense. The United States sees critical minerals as essential for its economic growth, technological progress, and energy security. By working with other countries, the U.S. aims to make its supply chains more resilient against disruptions and geopolitical risks. The ongoing discussions also highlight the importance of strategic cooperation to reduce reliance on a few sources or regions for essential minerals. The event takes place at a time when many nations are emphasizing the need for energy transition and clean energy sources. Critical minerals play a crucial role in this transition, as they are used in batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy technologies. Securing these materials is part of broader efforts to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and promote sustainable energy sources. The Key Highlights of the visit are: - The Ministerial conference will focus on supply chain resilience, clean energy, and strategic cooperation. - India’s External Affairs Minister will participate in the event from February 2 to 4, 2026. - The main conference takes place on February 4, 2026. - Minister Jaishankar is scheduled to meet with senior U.S. officials during his visit. - The event aims to strengthen international cooperation on critical mineral supply chains. It is important to note that the American government has emphasized the need to build strong partnerships to secure critical mineral supplies. The conference and meetings are part of broader efforts to address global challenges related to energy security and technological development. India’s participation in the Critical Minerals Ministerial highlights its interest in being part of international efforts to secure critical mineral supplies. This collaboration can help India strengthen its own supply chains, support its energy transition goals, and foster strategic partnerships with the United States. Overall, this visit and the Ministerial conference underline the importance of global cooperation in managing critical resources. They also reflect the interconnected nature of energy, technology, and security issues in today’s world.