On 5 June 2026 India and the United Kingdom jointly launched the Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory abbreviated as GSCO in New Delhi. The observatory was unveiled by Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper marking a major milestone in India UK strategic cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The GSCO is a joint initiative of TEXMiN the technology innovation hub at the Indian Institute of Technology Indian School of Mines Dhanbad and the University of Cambridge. The platform aims to monitor global critical mineral supply chains identify supply risks and disruptions generate market intelligence and support informed decision making for policymakers industry and researchers. Critical minerals such as lithium cobalt nickel graphite copper rare earth elements gallium and germanium are essential inputs for clean energy technologies including electric vehicle batteries solar panels wind turbines and semiconductors and for advanced manufacturing in defence aerospace and electronics. The initiative was first announced during a bilateral engagement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart in October 2025 and was subsequently formalised through a research collaboration agreement signed in March 2026. The launch reinforces India strategic objectives of reducing dependence on concentrated supply chains particularly Chinese dominance of rare earth processing diversifying mineral sourcing scaling domestic exploration through the National Critical Minerals Mission and aligning with the Quad Mineral Investment Network as well as the Minerals Security Partnership for resilient global supply chains.
India and the United Kingdom Jointly Launch Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory GSCO in New Delhi on 5 June 2026 by Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper as a Joint Initiative of TEXMiN at IIT ISM Dhanbad and University of Cambridge to Monitor Global Critical Mineral Supply Chains Identify Risks and Strengthen Resource Security First Announced October 2025
India and UK jointly launch Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory GSCO in New Delhi on 5 June 2026 a joint initiative of TEXMiN at IIT ISM Dhanbad and University of Cambridge to monitor global critical mineral supply chains.
Key facts
- GSCO launched in New Delhi on 5 June 2026 by G Kishan Reddy and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper
- Joint initiative of TEXMiN at IIT ISM Dhanbad and the University of Cambridge
- Aims to monitor global critical mineral supply chains identify risks and generate market intelligence
- Focus on critical minerals like lithium cobalt nickel graphite rare earth elements gallium germanium
- First announced October 2025 between PMs Modi and Starmer formalised through March 2026 research agreement
- Strengthens India position in Quad Mineral Investment Network and Minerals Security Partnership
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With reference to the Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory GSCO launched on 5 June 2026, consider the following statements:\n1. The GSCO is a joint initiative of TEXMiN at IIT ISM Dhanbad and the University of Cambridge.\n2. It was launched in New Delhi by Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.\nWhich of the statements given above is/are correct?
Both statements are correct. The GSCO launched on 5 June 2026 in New Delhi is a joint initiative of TEXMiN the technology innovation hub at IIT ISM Dhanbad and the University of Cambridge. It was unveiled by Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. The initiative was first announced in October 2025 and formalised through a research agreement in March 2026.
Source: AIR News / Business Standard
Frequently asked questions
What is the Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory GSCO?
The GSCO launched by India and UK on 5 June 2026 in New Delhi is a joint initiative of TEXMiN at IIT ISM Dhanbad and the University of Cambridge. It aims to monitor global critical mineral supply chains identify supply risks and disruptions generate market intelligence and support informed decision making for policymakers industry and researchers.
Who launched the GSCO on 5 June 2026?
The GSCO was launched in New Delhi by Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. The initiative was first announced during a bilateral engagement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart in October 2025 and formalised through a research collaboration agreement in March 2026.
What are critical minerals and why are they important?
Critical minerals such as lithium cobalt nickel graphite rare earth elements gallium and germanium are essential inputs for clean energy technologies including electric vehicle batteries solar panels wind turbines and semiconductors and for advanced manufacturing in defence aerospace and electronics. Their supply chains are concentrated geographically making resource security a strategic priority.
How does the GSCO align with India strategic objectives on critical minerals?
The GSCO reinforces India objectives of reducing dependence on concentrated supply chains particularly Chinese dominance of rare earth processing diversifying mineral sourcing scaling domestic exploration through the National Critical Minerals Mission and aligning with the Quad Mineral Investment Network and the Minerals Security Partnership for resilient global supply chains.
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