India, May 27 -- India and the United States have signed a major framework agreement on critical minerals and rare earth elements, marking a significant step in their efforts to reduce global dependence on China's dominance in the sector.

The agreement was finalised in New Delhi between Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during Rubio's four-day visit to India. The deal focuses on cooperation across the entire critical minerals supply chain, including mining, processing, recycling, investment and technology development.

The agreement comes as Washington intensifies its global push to diversify rare earth sourcing and secure supply chains considered essential for economic and national se...