Did China actually lift export curbs on rare earth minerals to India? Beijing foreign ministry spokesperson responds to media reports

Following a meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in New Delhi, reports citing authoritative sources claimed that China has agreed to lift restrictions on export of rare earth minerals and fertilisers to India. However, China or India are yet to confirm any development regarding this.

Reporters on Tuesday asked Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning whether these reports on ease of export restrictions on rare earth minerals are true and whether the move includes all export licenses or India has been given an exemption.

To this, Ning responded, saying that she is not aware of the media reports cited by the journalist. "What I can tell you is that China is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with relevant countries and regions to jointly maintain the stability of the global supply chain," she clarified.

This comes as reports, citing sources, claimed that during the two-day visit to New Delhi, Wang assured Jaishankar that his government will lift the restrictions on exports.

"Foreign Minister Wang Yi assured External Affairs Minister Jaishankar that China is addressing India's needs of fertilisers, rare earths and tunnel boring machines," PTI quoted one of the sources as saying.

Why China lifting curbs on rare earth mineral exports matter to India?

China, possessing around 70 per cent of global rare earth mining, is a key distributor in the global supply chain of these critical minerals. Since these minerals are essential in the manufacturing of electrical vehicles, battery storage and drones, they are important in ensuring India's economic growth.

China, which has been exporting the minerals to India till two years ago, halted the exports to several countries in 2024. These blanket restrictions were lifted in June but the ease of exports was not extended to India.

Meanwhile, India is also looking at inking bilateral ties with other suppliers of rare earth minerals. The Union Ministry of Mines has already entered deals with Argentina, Australia, Cote D'Ivoire, Malawi, Mozambique, Peru, Zambia, Zimbabwe and international organisations such as International Energy Agency (IEA).

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