China Curbs Unite India, Japan Firms

Over a dozen Japanese battery, mineral firms eye partnerships

- Ayaan Kartik

Indian and Japanese companies are huddling in Delhi this week to figure a way out of the rare earth supply-chain logjam triggered by China's export curbs, according to two people aware of the matter.

More than a dozen major Japanese players from the EV battery and critical mineral supply chain, including Panasonic, Mitsubishi Chemicals, Sumitomo Metals and Mining, Asahi Kasei and Nichia, are currently in India to explore partnerships with Indian companies. All these companies are part of Japan's industry body, Battery Association of Supply Chain (BASC).

From the Indian side, businesses like Amara Raja and Reliance are participating in discussions with the Japanese industry, one of the persons mentioned above said on condition of anonymity.

The talks are expected to focus on developing a diversified supply chain for lithium-ion batteries used in EVs and energy storage systems, as well as for critical minerals like lithium and graphite, with discussions likely to explore technological collaboration and joint R&D to counter China's dominance across these markets.

Mint could not independently verify the full list of Japanese and Indian companies who will be part of discussions. Queries sent to the Japanese and Indian firms remained unanswered till press time.