Q. The 2025 Quad FMM prioritised critical minerals and port infrastructure as key areas of cooperation. Discuss how these focus areas contribute to India’s economic and strategic resilienc

 

GS Paper III – Economic Development & Security

Q. The 2025 Quad FMM prioritised critical minerals and port infrastructure as key areas of cooperation. Discuss how these focus areas contribute to India’s economic and strategic resilience.

Answer Framework

 Introduction (30–40 words)

The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 2025 launched new economic initiatives, including a Critical Minerals Partnership and a Ports of the Future Conference. These align closely with India's domestic priorities in manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain diversification.

Body

1. Critical Minerals: Strategic and Economic Significance

• India relies on imports for lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earths
• Partnership enables:
• Raw material access for semiconductors and EVs
• Boost to PLI schemes in electronics and battery tech
• Reducing dependence on China’s mineral supply chains

2. Port Infrastructure and Maritime Trade

• Mumbai Conference (Oct 2025): Enhances India’s logistics competitiveness
• Supports:
• PM Gati Shakti and National Logistics Policy
• India's ambition to become a trans-shipment hub
• Digitalization and green port technologies

3. Strategic Resilience

• Economic security linked to national security
• Enhances India’s role in regional connectivity and supply chain realignment
• Complements Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)

 Conclusion (30–40 words)

Through these initiatives, the Quad aligns its economic cooperation with India’s self-reliance goals. The integration of geoeconomics with geopolitics strengthens India’s ability to withstand external shocks and assert its regional leadership.

Keywords to Use

• Supply chain diversification
• Economic statecraft
• Strategic autonomy
• Dual-use infrastructure
• Blue economy