India To investigate the possibility of rare earthminerals in Afghanistan, the government must soon send on a high -level team - India to investigate the possibility of rare earthminerals in Afghanistan, the government to send a high level soon

Updated: Sat, 11 Oct 2025 08:23 PM (IST) To increase the economic cooperation between India and Afghanistan, the Indian government will send a high -level team to Afghanistan. This team will judge the possibilities of investment in the mining sector there, especially with a focus on the reserves of rare metals. Foreign Minister Muttaki has encouraged Indian businesses to participate in mining projects, which will strengthen the business relations between the two countries. Will send a team to India regarding rare earthminerals in Afghanistan. Jagran Bureau, New -Delhi. An important step is to take economic cooperation between India and Afghanistan to new heights. The Indian government will soon send a high -level team to Afghanistan, which will assess the investment opportunities in the rich mining sector there and discuss the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in this. Remove ads Read only news The team will focus specifically on rare earth elements, which are critical to India’s economic development and green energy projects. This issue was discussed in detail in the talks between Afghanistan’s foreign minister, Aamir Khan Muttaki, and Foreign Minister India, held in New Delhi on Friday this week, in which Afghanistan entered Indian companies to invest in his mining sector. The journey to bring the minerals to India is long. Indian officials believe that the Afghan government has just invited, but the journey of assessing the mining areas there and then it is a long journey to obtain mining rights from them to bring the minerals to India. Especially if America and China are also looking at this mining area. In addition, neighboring Pakistan will also try its best to sabotage such efforts of India. At the same time, solutions to the challenges associated with the internal safety of Afghanistan will also have to be found. Nevertheless, India hopes it can exploit minerals in harmony with the Islamic Emirate (Taliban) government, which will also greatly benefit Afghanistan’s economy. India’s dependence on other countries can reduce. The demand for rare metals in India is likely to increase rapidly and their availability has become an important part of the government’s diplomacy. Rare metals such as lithium, neodymium, lanthanum and cerium are essential for electric vehicles (EVs), smartphones, renewable energy devices and defense technologies. The manufacture of equipment associated with EV and solar sector is increasing in India quickly. Until now, the metals needed for this are mostly used from China. Cooperation with Afghanistan can reduce India’s dependence on other countries. Rs 84 Lakh Crore -Minerals in Afghanistan A 2011 report by the US Geological Survey (USGS) estimated the value of total mineral resources in Afghanistan at about $ 1 billion (about Rs 84 Lakh Crore). It also includes assessing many types of rare metals. In some other reports, it is also said that there are reserves of 14 lakh metric tons of rare metals, which have the potential to meet a large part of the global needs. There are reports of major reserves of lithium, uranium and other elements in the Helmand province. Afghanistan also has large reserves of iron ore, copper and aluminum. The Pentagon described Afghanistan in 2010 as the ‘Saudi Arabia of lithium’ because its reserves could exceed that of Bolivia (the world’s largest lithium producer). In a 2019 report by Afghanistan’s mining ministry, rare metal reserves were also estimated at 1.4 million tonnes. However, the accurate assessment of these reserves is still challenging. Foreign Minister Muttaki said at a press conference yesterday that Kabul will encourage Indian businesses to participate in mining projects. This includes technical assistance, infrastructure development and joint ventures. This will strengthen business relations between the two countries. He also submitted this proposal in the meeting with the Indian Foreign Minister. The Indian side welcomed it.