India – US recently launched TRUST Initiative. The TRUST stands for Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology. This is a bilateral initiative for cooperation in the recovery and processing of the critical minerals. Read more about this Initiative below.

About TRUST Initiative

• TRUST stands for Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology.
• Bilateral Initiative between India and US.
• Mainly for cooperation in the recovery and processing of the critical minerals including Lithium and Rare Earth Elements (REE).
• Main Objective – To build strategic trust, enhance bilateral cooperation, and promote people-to-people ties between India and the United States.

                                PILLARS / FOCUS AREAS
                                        │
    ├── 🛡️ Strategic & Defense Cooperation
    │     └─ Joint military drills, defense co-production, Indo-Pacific security
    │
    ├── 🔬 Critical & Emerging Tech (iCET)
    │     └─ Collaboration in AI, quantum, semiconductors, clean tech
    │
    ├── 💼 Trade & Economic Engagement
    │     └─ Market access, investment, resilient supply chains
    │
    ├── 👨‍🎓 People-to-People Ties
    │     └─ Education, mobility, cultural exchange, STEM cooperation
    │
    └── 🌏 Global Governance & Rules-based Order
          └─ Cooperation in multilateral forums, climate, cyber, maritime

Key Features and Significance

1. Reinforcing shared commitment to a free, open, and rules-based international order.
2. Enhanced coordination on Indo-Pacific security, defence, and counterterrorism.
3. Boost exports by reducing barriers to technology transfer, addressing export controls, enhancing high-tech commerce.
4. Focus on critical and emerging technologies (CET) such as –
   • Semiconductors
   • AI and quantum tech
   • Clean energy technologies
5. Promote investment in key sectors like digital infrastructure and green energy.
6. Recovery & processing of strategic minerals like lithium, Rare Earth Elements etc. to diversify supply chains and counter China’s dominance.
7. Strengthens government’s National Critical Mineral Mission, encouraging public and private sector companies to acquire critical mineral assets abroad. 
8. Co-production and co-development under Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) (iCET is a 2022 India-US partnership focused on semiconductors, AI, defence, and quantum computing.).
9. Academic collaborations, cultural exchanges, and STEM cooperation.
10. Easier visa regimes and promotion of student and professional mobility.

                                INDIA–US TRUST INITIATIVE
                                         (2024)
                                           │
    ┌───────────────────────────────────---┴────────────────────────────────────┐
    │                                                                           │
OBJECTIVES                                                                SIGNIFICANCE
    │                                                                           │
    ├─ Build Strategic Trust                                        ├─ Strategic Partnership
    ├─ Enhance Bilateral Cooperation                                ├─ Tech & Innovation(AI,CET)
    ├─ Promote People-to-People Ties                                ├─ Supply Chain Security
    ├─ Align on Global Challenges                                   ├─ Atmanirbhar Bharat
                                                                    └─ India’s Global Standing

Challenges for TRUST Initiative

1. Legacy issues like non-alignment, India’s ties with Russia, and U.S. military aid to Pakistan create underlying distrust.
2. Divergences over global conflicts (e.g., Ukraine, Middle East).
3. India is not part of all U.S.-led tech alliances (like NATO or Five Eyes), limiting access.
4. Persistent trade disputes (e.g., tariffs, digital taxes, agri exports).
5. Concerns over data protection, localization laws, and regulatory unpredictability in India.
6. Visa issues for Indian professionals and students.
7. Rising racism/xenophobia or policy shifts (e.g., H-1B caps) in U.S. domestic politics.
8. Change in leadership (e.g., U.S. elections 2024) may alter priorities.
9. U.S. pushback against India’s oil imports from Russia or stance on China could create friction.

                                  CHALLENGES
                                        │
    ├── 🔻 Strategic Mistrust (Russia ties, Pakistan)
    ├── 🛑 Tech Transfer Barriers (IPR, export controls)
    ├── ⚖️ Trade & Regulatory Disputes
    ├── 🌐 Geopolitical Divergence (China, Iran, Ukraine)
    ├── ⛔ Visa & Immigration Issues (H-1B caps)
    ├── 🏛️ Bureaucratic Delays
    └── 🗳️ Political Uncertainty (US domestic politics, elections)

About Critical Minerals

• Critical Minerals are elements that are building blocks of essential modern-day technologies and are at risk of supply chain disruptions due to limited global production & geopolitical factors.
• Critical minerals are essential raw materials used in high-tech, clean energy, and defense applications, with:
  • High economic importance.
  • Supply chain vulnerability.
• These minerals are crucial for manufacturing:
  • Electric vehicles (EVs)
  • Solar panels, wind turbines
  • Electronics
  • Defence equipment
• Some major ones include:
  • Lithium
  • Cobalt
  • Nickel
  • Graphite
  • Rare Earth Elements (REEs)
  • Tungsten
  • Beryllium
  • Platinum Group Metals.
• U.S. defines 25 critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements (REEs), graphite, and nickel, essential for technology and defence.

Importance of Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements (REEs)

• Critical minerals and REEs play a key role in industries such as –
  • Defence (missiles, fighter jets, radars)
  • Semiconductors and AI hardware
  • Quantum computing
  • Energy storage and electric vehicles (EVs)
  • Biotechnology and medical diagnostics
  • Space technology.
• Key Elements and Their Applications –
  • Neodymium, praseodymium, samarium – Used in high-performance magnets for defence systems.
  • Lithium, cobalt, nickel – Power advanced batteries for energy storage and EVs.
  • Gallium, indium – Critical for semiconductors and AI hardware.
  • Ultra-pure silicon, superconducting materials – Essential for quantum computing.
  • Europium, terbium – Used in biotech imaging and medical diagnostics.
  • Scandium and heat-resistant alloys – Important for space technology.
• Need for Diversified Supply Chains –
  • China controls nearly 70% of global REE production and much of the processing infrastructure.
  • Securing diversified supply chains is crucial for technological sovereignty and national security.

Mineral Security Partnership (MSP)

Countries of MSP – USCEUAJSI

• The Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) is a U.S.-led initiative to secure critical mineral supply chains and reduce reliance on China.
• It is a collaboration of 14 countries and European Union to catalyze public and private investment in responsible critical minerals supply chains globally.
• MSP includes the U.S., Canada, EU, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and India, focusing on diversifying critical mineral sources.
• India joined MSP in 2023.
• Focuses on the minerals and metals supply chains most relevant for clean energy technologies.

India’s Initiative

• Critical Minerals List (2023) – by Ministry of Mines.
• KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd) – Joint venture to source minerals from abroad (e.g., Australia, Argentina).
• National Geoscience Data Repository – Mapping domestic resources.
• India–US Critical Minerals Collaboration – Under iCET and Trust Initiative.