New Delhi, Aug. 31 -- The defining resource race of the 20th century was over oil. It powered industries, moved armies, transformed transportation and gave nations enormous geopolitical influence. In the 21st century, another group of resources is assuming a similarly strategic importance - critical minerals. Lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, rare earth elements, copper and other minerals are becoming the foundations of clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence technologies, electronics and digital infrastructure.

Countries that secure reliable access to these resources will possess economic advantage and strategic leverage. The contest for critical minerals is therefore rapidly becoming one of the central geopolitical and economic ...