New Delhi, Aug. 11 -- India and Namibia have identified critical minerals-including lithium, graphite, copper, cobalt, and rare earth elements-as a key area of bilateral economic cooperation. The move comes as New Delhi steps up efforts to secure strategic mineral supplies while supporting local processing and value addition in resource-rich partner countries.

The two countries agreed to explore cooperation across the entire critical-mineral value chain, from exploration and offtake to processing and downstream beneficiation, according to the commerce ministry. The cooperation will be aligned with Namibia's priorities of value addition and local employment creation, the ministry said.

The development came at the fourth session of the In...