India’s rare earth challenge: Why China leads and what comes next

2026-02-18 - 11:53

Rare earth elements are no longer just technical materials. They are becoming tools of power in global geopolitics. This video explains how China came to dominate rare-earth processing, why these minerals now sit at the centre of trade wars, defence planning, and clean-energy transitions, and what strategic choices India faces as demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and advanced weapons systems rises. The video draws on an in-depth eBook that brings together journalists, policy analysts, engineers, and industry experts to examine India’s rare-earth dilemma, China’s leverage, and the options still on the table. If you want a deeper understanding of how critical minerals are shaping India’s economic security and geopolitical future, you can explore the eBook here: https://www.thehindu.com/premium/ebook/ Script: Shikha Kumari A Voice over: Jude Francis Weston