(Staff posts from the ECONOMIC TIMES INDIA on 10 September 2025.)
India explores rare-earth deal with Myanmar rebels
after Chinese curbs: India is working to obtain rare-earth samples from Myanmar
with the assistance of a powerful rebel group, according to four people
familiar with the matter, as it seeks alternative supplies of a strategic
resource tightly controlled by China.
India's Ministry of Mines asked state-owned and
private firms to explore collecting and transporting samples from mines in
northeastern Myanmar that are under the control of the Kachin Independence
Army, three of the people said.
State-owned miner IREL (India Rare Earth Limited) and private firm Midwest Advanced Materials - which received government funding last year for the commercial manufacturing of rare-earth magnets - were among those involved in the discussions, the sources said.