First India-France Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals Held in New Delhi
France's Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Minerals and Metals Supplies, Benjamin Gallezot, visited New Delhi on July 6-7, 2026, to co-chair the inaugural India-France Joint Working Group (JWG) on Critical Minerals. The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary Kadam Sandeep Vasant of India's National Critical Mineral Mission, Ministry of Mines. According to the French Embassy in India, the discussions aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the exploration, processing, and recycling of critical minerals and rare earth elements, with a focus on building resilient and sustainable supply chains.
Areas of Cooperation and Joint Projects
The two countries identified shared interests and developed collaboration projects in France, India, and other key nations. The French Geological Survey (BRGM) and the Geological Survey of India, which have a long-standing partnership, participated in the talks and outlined joint work to enhance understanding of the entire critical minerals value chain. Gallezot also met Deputy National Security Advisor Pavan Kapoor and engaged with Indian industry representatives at an event organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Background of the Cooperation
This visit builds 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, innovation, diversification of value chains, supply chain resilience, and circularity. The French Interministerial Delegation for the Supply of Strategic Minerals and Metals, established on December 10, 2022, coordinates the French government's efforts to secure strategic mineral and metal supplies across ministries.
Official Statements and Broader Context
The French Embassy posted on X: "Benjamin Gallezot, France's Interministerial Delegate - Strategic Minerals & Metals Supplies, co-chaired the first India France Critical Minerals JWG. Agenda: cooperation on exploring, processing & recycling critical minerals & rare earths for resilient, sustainable supply chains." In February 2026, Indian Ambassador to France Sanjeev Kumar Singla announced a letter of intent to establish a center on advanced materials between India's Department of Science and Technology and the French institution CNRS. The joint statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron affirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation in critical minerals to support a green and digital economy, emerging technologies, and advanced manufacturing.
