India considers building a strategic reserve of rare earth elements.

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

**Arabian Sea_Agencies:** Bloomberg News reported on Saturday, citing a defense official, that India is considering building a strategic reserve of critical minerals for use in defense manufacturing emergencies. Rajesh Kumar Singh, an official at the Indian Ministry of Defense, added during a media event in New Delhi that the reserve of critical minerals and vital metals would be used "to meet immediate needs" when required. Reuters reported this month that India is quietly working to tap rare earth elements in Myanmar to diversify supply chains away from China, in a move that includes unusual cooperation with an armed group known as the Kachin Independence Army. Beijing imposed strict restrictions this year on the export of rare earth elements to major economies such as India as it builds geopolitical influence in its trade war with the United States.