India-Zambia Critical Mineral Talks Stall Over Mining Rights Dispute

Negotiations between India and Zambia regarding the exploration and mining of critical minerals have stalled due to Lusaka's failure to provide assurances on mining rights, according to sources familiar with the matter. India had previously secured an allocation of 9,000 square kilometers in Zambia to explore for cobalt and copper, dispatching geologists who returned with mineral samples last year. The three-year exploration program was intended to pave the way for private sector participation, contingent on securing these rights. New Delhi is currently attempting to restart discussions, but the outcome remains uncertain. This deadlock highlights India's strategic vulnerability in securing supply chains for essential resources. The country is heavily dependent on imports for cobalt, with shipments rising significantly in the 2024-25 fiscal year, and has seen a sharp increase in copper imports since the closure of domestic smelting capacity. As part of a broader strategy to mitigate risks from tightening global markets, India is pursuing government-to-government agreements with various African nations, as well as exploring opportunities in Australia and Latin America, to diversify its resource acquisition channels.