US envoy, industry leaders push forward on critical minerals, space ties

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor held a series of meetings in New Delhi on Friday with industry leaders and government representatives to deepen bilateral cooperation in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, technology, and environmental sectors.

In a meeting with senior executives from Rolls-Royce, Gor discussed the company's role in strengthening US-India collaboration in advanced manufacturing and aerospace innovation. He described the partnership as building a more secure and prosperous future together.

Separately, Gor met with Assistant Secretary of State Wesley R. Brooks to review progress under the US-India Civil Space Joint Working Group. Their discussion covered expanding collaboration in space, critical minerals, and environmental cooperation, with a focus on strengthening strategic supply chains between the two nations.

The US-India Business Council (USIBC) also hosted a Business Roundtable on Critical Minerals Recycling and Recovery as part of its Critical Minerals Security Task Force. The event featured Assistant Secretary Brooks and brought together industry stakeholders to explore opportunities in recovering valuable materials from end-of-life batteries, magnets, and electronics.

Opening the roundtable, USIBC Managing Director Rahul Sharma noted that while critical minerals discussions often start with mining, a significant opportunity lies in recycling and expanding processing and refining capacity in both countries. Brooks emphasized the importance of alternative sources such as recycling, given shorter timelines, and highlighted the potential for US-India cooperation in this area.

The discussions covered feedstock availability, recovery technologies, standards, traceability, and challenges to scaling supply chains. The initiative reflects growing momentum in US-India ties across strategic sectors.