New Delhi, Sept. 17 -- Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Thursday, stated that building domestic capabilities is essential to reduce reliance on other countries, warning that self-reliance remains an illusion without genuine independence.

Addressing the third FICCI Conference on Digitalization, AI, Automation and Technology Integration in Mining and Metals, the minister said the mining and metals sector faces structural pressures ranging from declining ore grades, deeper deposits, and high energy costs to geopolitical concentration in critical mineral supply chains and decarbonisation requirements.

"I think it's important to have domestic capabilities if you have to reduce your reliance on others. Self...