Australia Says Willing to be Long Term Rare Earth Supplier to India

Australia has reaffirmed its commitment to becoming a key supplier of  critical elements such as rare earth to India amid rising global demand for rare earth elements and a surge in electric vehicle production.

Speaking at the India Energy Week, 2025 in India, Philip Green OAM, Australia’s High Commissioner to India, emphasized the synergy between the two countries, saying, “We are not as big a manufacturing country as India, but we are rich in critical minerals, especially rare earth.”

His remarks come as India looks to secure long-term, reliable sources of rare earth elements used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and electronic devices as part of its broader push to reduce reliance on China.

Autocar Professional reported on Tuesday, Malini Dutt, Trade and Investment Commissioner, India, Investment New South Wales (NSW), shared that discussions are already underway with several stakeholders. “We are already talking to a number of players because our region, New South Wales, has a lot of rare earth elements.”.

Reflecting on the broader alignment between the two nations, Green said, “Australia is a strong believer in India's economic rise... India is now a top-tier partner for Australia, and our bilateral relationship is growing at the fastest rate of any major bilateral relationship we have in the world.”

“In truth, without India, there is no future for the problem of climate change,” he added.

These statements follow the recent Quad summit on July 1, involving India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, where critical minerals featured prominently. The development also coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Argentina, another rare earth-rich nation, where he discussed strategic resources with President Javier Milei.

Green also pointed to Australia’s role as a significant global producer, accounting for a significant amount of the world’s mineral output, as a key asset in India’s energy transition.

Projecting the seriousness of both governments, Green recalled the decision by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Anthony Albanese to place renewable energy collaboration at the forefront of bilateral ties. “They committed themselves to a renewable energy partnership between Australia and India for all time going forward,” he said.

Australia, which leads the world in rooftop solar deployment per capita, also aims to contribute its technological know-how. “We want to bring all those skills and technologies with us,” Green said.

The High Commissioner described the partnership as deeply aligned: “From our perspective, there is a natural coalition of interest and correlation between India's future and Australia's future.”