Why energy security and mineral security can no longer be discussed separately

For decades, energy security was a straightforward concept. Countries focused on securing stable supplies of oil, gas and coal because those resources powered economies, industries and transportation systems. That definition is changing.

As economies move towards electrification and cleaner energy systems, the technologies that will power this transition are heavily dependent on a small group of critical minerals. Lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and rare earth elements are no longer niche commodities. They are becoming strategic assets.

India is not alone in facing this challenge. Countries around the world are reassessing how they secure the materials needed to support their clean energy ambitions. According to the International Energy Agency, demand for minerals required for clean energy technologies could quadruple by 2040 under current climate commitments.

The concentration of global supply chains adds another layer of complexity. A significant portion of the world’s cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Australia remains one of the largest lithium producers and China dominates several stages of processing and refining across multiple critical minerals. Such concentration creates dependencies that can quickly become strategic risks.

India has already experienced the consequences of energy import dependence over several decades. Replicating a similar model in the clean energy era would be a costly mistake. The objective should not be complete self-sufficiency, which is unrealistic for any country. Instead, the focus should be on building resilience through diversified supply chains, stronger partnerships and domestic systems that reduce long-term exposure to external shocks.

Resource Recovery Must Become a Strategic Priority

One of India’s biggest opportunities already exists within its own borders. Every discarded smartphone, laptop, consumer electronic device and end-of-life battery contains valuable materials that can be recovered and returned to manufacturing supply chains. Yet this opportunity is often viewed as a waste management issue rather than a strategic resource opportunity.

That perspective needs to change. India’s lithium-ion battery demand is projected to increase from 29 GWh in 2025 to 248 GWh by 2035. The batteries entering the market today will eventually become an important source of recoverable materials. Building systems to capture these resources early will be far more effective than trying to solve the problem once volumes become overwhelming.

Advanced recycling technologies can now recover high-purity lithium, cobalt, nickel and graphite that can be reintroduced into battery manufacturing. This reduces dependence on imported raw materials, strengthens domestic supply chains and keeps valuable resources within the economy for longer periods.

The benefits extend beyond resource security. A robust recovery ecosystem can create skilled jobs, support manufacturing growth and improve resilience against fluctuations in global commodity markets.

Several countries have already recognised this opportunity. The European Union has introduced regulations that encourage recycled content in batteries, while the United States is investing heavily in domestic critical mineral supply chains. India cannot afford to delay action in this area.

Long-Term Resource Planning Will Determine Energy Resilience

India has already taken important steps through initiatives like the National Critical Mineral Mission and the Battery Waste Management Rules. These frameworks indicate a growing recognition that resource security will influence the country’s long-term economic trajectory.

However, policy announcements alone will not be enough. Resource planning must adopt the same long-term horizon that guides energy infrastructure development. Public sector enterprises, battery manufacturers, renewable energy companies, recyclers and private industry will need to work towards a common objective. Every investment decision being made today should account for where the required materials will come from ten or fifteen years later.

The energy transition is one of the most significant economic transformations India has undertaken in recent decades. Achieving these ambitions will require more than adding renewable energy capacity or increasing electric vehicle adoption. It will require securing the materials that make these technologies possible in the first place.

Energy security and mineral security are no longer parallel conversations. They have become part of the same national agenda, and India’s long-term competitiveness will depend on how effectively the two are integrated.