New Delhi: India and the United Kingdom (UK) on Thursday launched the India–UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO) in New Delhi, a step the two governments framed as a milestone in their growing partnership on critical minerals and supply chain resilience. The platform was unveiled by Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy and Yvette Cooper, the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, according to a Ministry of Mines statement.
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The Observatory is positioned as a data-driven platform to monitor and analyse global critical mineral supply chains. The ministry said it will track supply chains worldwide, flag supply risks and disruptions, generate market intelligence and support informed decision-making by policymakers, industry and researchers. An interactive demonstration was jointly presented at the launch by TEXMiN and the University of Cambridge.
The GSCO is a joint initiative of TEXMiN (the technology innovation hub at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad), the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad and the University of Cambridge. The ministry said the initiative was announced during the India–UK Prime Ministers' bilateral engagement in October 2025 and subsequently formalised through a Research Collaboration Agreement signed in March 2026.
Addressing the gathering, Reddy said critical minerals are the backbone of modern economies and indispensable for clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, electric mobility and strategic sectors, the statement said. He noted the Observatory would strengthen India's capabilities in supply chain intelligence, support evidence-based policymaking and advance the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). The minister added that the initiative reflects India's commitment to building resilient and diversified critical mineral value chains while deepening cooperation with trusted partners.
In a post on X, Reddy said, "Launched the India–UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO) today in New Delhi, along with Hon'ble Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, Ms @YvetteCooperMP. This is a major step towards strengthening critical mineral supply chains, supporting clean energy transitions, and building resilient global supply chains through the India–UK partnership."
Cooper, speaking at the launch, underscored the importance of India–UK collaboration in developing resilient, diversified and sustainable critical mineral supply chains, according to the statement. She said greater access to critical minerals and improved information-sharing are in the mutual interest of both nations and can contribute significantly to economic growth and supply chain security. She further noted that the partnership has the potential to serve as a foundation for broader cooperation across the critical minerals sector and related strategic industries.
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Prof Sukumar Mishra, Director of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Chairman of the TEXMiN Governing Board, highlighted the initiative's significance under the National Critical Mineral Mission and the India–UK Technology Security Initiative, the statement said.
The launch was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of External Affairs, representatives of the Indian High Commission in the UK and the British High Commission in India, delegates from TEXMiN, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and the University of Cambridge, and representatives from industry, academia and research institutions in both countries.
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