Strategic move: India, Japan discuss rare earth projects to reduce dependence on China

News DeskLast Updated: 04 March 2026, 02:52 PM ISTShare Hard rock rare earth deposits require specialised extraction techniques, which India currently does not have at scale. Under-construction Rare Earth Industrial Park New Delhi: In a move aimed at reducing dependence on China for critical minerals, Japan is in discussions with India to jointly explore rare earth deposits in the desert state of Rajasthan, according to reports. The talks come after India recently identified three hard rock rare earth deposits in Rajasthan and Gujarat, containing an estimated 1.29 million metric tons of rare earth oxides.