France and India convened the inaugural India-France Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals in New Delhi on July 6, 2026, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the exploration, processing, and recycling of critical minerals and rare earth elements. The meeting aimed to develop resilient and sustainable supply chains, according to a release from the French Embassy in India.
Co-chairs and participants
The working group was co-chaired by Benjamin Gallezot, France's Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Minerals, and Kameshwar Saip, Joint Secretary of the National Critical Mineral Mission under India's Ministry of Mines. Gallezot visited New Delhi on July 6-7 alongside Olivier Froz, Regional Director for Asia at the Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM), the French Geological Survey.
Representatives from the Geological Survey of India also participated, building on a long-standing cooperation with BRGM. The discussions identified avenues for joint work to enhance knowledge across the entire critical minerals value chain, including exploration, mining, processing, and recycling.
Areas of common interest
Both sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation with the objective of building resilient and sustainable supply chains. The talks helped identify areas of common interest and potential collaboration projects across France, India, and other key markets, the release stated.
Gallezot also met Deputy National Security Advisor Pavan Kapoor and interacted with representatives from various Indian industries during a session organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Background of cooperation
The visit built on the France-India Joint Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in Critical Minerals, signed during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India in February 2026. The declaration provides a framework for closer cooperation in exploration, mining, research and innovation, diversification of value chains, supply chain resilience, and circularity.
According to the French Embassy, the declaration aims to strengthen cooperation in exploration, mining, research, innovation, and resilient supply chains. The joint working group is a key step in implementing this framework.
