Topic · 9 episodes
Critical Minerals in India
Batteries, electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines all depend on minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and rare earth elements. India imports most of what it needs, and global mining and processing are concentrated in a handful of countries, China above all. That makes critical minerals a question of energy security and industrial policy. India published a list of 30 critical minerals in 2023 and launched a National Critical Mineral Mission in 2025.
The episodes below explain where India stands: the economics of critical minerals, the national strategy from exploration to supply chains, the role of state-owned companies such as Coal India, and why energy storage depends on these minerals. Newest episodes are first.
Episodes on critical minerals in India
India’s Critical Minerals Strategy: From Exploration to Supply Chains
Former Hindustan Copper CMD Sanjiv Kumar Singh on India’s critical minerals strategy, from exploration to supply chains for copper, lithium and more.
From the Depths to Decarbonization: Coal India’s 50-Year Story
Coal India CMD P.M. Prasad on 50 years of the world’s largest coal miner and how Coal India plans to diversify for India’s energy transition.
From Mines to Markets: Unpacking India’s Critical Mineral Strategy
Energy and mining expert Abhinav Sengupta unpacks India’s critical mineral strategy for lithium, cobalt and rare earths, from mines to markets.
Role of State Owned Enterprises in the Energy Transition
Dr. B. Veera Reddy on how India’s state-owned enterprises, which dominate fossil fuel production and jobs, can lead the clean energy transition.
Gazing into the Crystal Ball: What’s next for India’s energy transition?
The hosts kick off Season 4 with a primer on what’s next for India’s energy transition, from clean energy growth to the challenges ahead.
State of the Indian Energy Transition
Economist Aditya Ramji on the state of India’s energy transition: energy access, clean transportation, critical minerals and the road ahead.
India’s G20 Presidency: Navigating Complex Geopolitical Waters
IEA’s Swati D’Souza on how India’s G20 presidency navigated the Russia-Ukraine war while advancing renewables, critical minerals and green finance.
Emerging economy of Critical Minerals: Are countries prepared?
Breakthrough Institute’s Dr. Seaver Wang on whether the world has enough lithium, cobalt and rare earths to scale solar and wind energy.
Energy Storage: The Catalyst to India’s Energy Transition
IESA founder Dr. Rahul Walawalkar on energy storage as the catalyst for India’s energy transition, from batteries to pumped storage.
