Overview
India and the UK launched the Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO) on 5 June 2026 in New Delhi. The AI-driven platform will monitor global supply chains, identify risks, and provide real-time market intelligence. The initiative aims to secure critical minerals essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.
A Strategic Partnership for the Future
On 5 June 2026, India and the United Kingdom took a big step together. They launched the Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO) in New Delhi. This is not just another agreement. It is a joint effort to track and secure critical minerals. These minerals are the hidden engines of modern technology. Without them, there would be no electric vehicles, no mobile phones, no wind turbines, and no defence equipment. With this observatory, both countries aim to build strong, transparent, and resilient supply chains.
Who Launched the GSCO?
The GSCO was formally launched by G. Kishan Reddy , India’s Union Minister of Coal and Mines, and Yvette Cooper , the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary. The ceremony took place in New Delhi and was attended by senior officials, industry representatives, researchers, and policymakers from both nations. The launch was part of a broader review of the India-UK Vision 2035 , which focuses on trade, technology, defence, climate, clean energy, and education. Yvette Cooper was on a two-day visit to India, where she also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Why Are Critical Minerals Important?
Critical minerals are the building blocks of modern economies. These include lithium , cobalt , nickel , graphite , copper , and rare earth elements . They are used in:
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Electric vehicle batteries
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Solar panels and wind turbines
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Semiconductor chips
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Defence technologies
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Mobile phones and laptops
As the world moves towards clean energy and digital transformation, the demand for these minerals has skyrocketed. But their supply chains are often concentrated in a few countries. This creates risks of disruption due to geopolitical tensions, trade wars, or natural disasters. The GSCO is designed to address these risks.
What Is the Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO)?
The GSCO is a data-driven platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor global critical mineral supply chains in real time. It will provide:
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Real-time market intelligence on mineral flows
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Identification of supply risks and disruptions
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Analysis of price trends and availability
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Support for evidence-based policymaking
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Transparency in sourcing and processing
The platform will help governments, industries, and researchers make better decisions. It will also help both countries reduce their dependence on unreliable sources.
Who Will Run the GSCO?
The observatory is a joint initiative of three leading institutions:
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Technology Innovation in Exploration and Mining Foundation (TEXMiN)
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Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad
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University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
TEXMiN is a technology research park supported by India’s Department of Science and Technology. IIT (ISM) Dhanbad is a premier institute for mining and mineral research. The University of Cambridge brings global expertise in supply chain analysis and critical minerals research.
How Much Will It Cost?
The GSCO will be set up with £1.2 million (about ₹12.5 crore) in funding . The money will be used to establish a satellite observatory at IIT Dhanbad’s Mining Innovation Hub. This will serve as the physical base for the platform in India.
Why Did India and UK Launch This Now?
The timing is no coincidence. In recent years, the world has seen severe disruptions in global supply chains. The COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, and tensions in West Asia have all affected the flow of critical minerals. Both India and the UK are heavily dependent on imports for these minerals. By launching the GSCO, they want to:
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Reduce supply chain vulnerabilities
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Diversify sources of critical minerals
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Promote recycling and domestic production
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Support clean energy transitions
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Strengthen economic security
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy said the observatory will strengthen India’s capabilities in critical mineral supply chain intelligence and support the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) .
Connection to India’s National Critical Mineral Mission
India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in January 2025. The mission has a budget of ₹16,300 crore and will run for seven years (2024-25 to 2030-31). It aims to:
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Secure India’s critical mineral supply from domestic and foreign sources
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Strengthen the entire value chain from exploration to processing
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Promote research and development in mineral extraction
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Encourage recycling of critical minerals from e-waste
The GSCO will provide the data and intelligence needed to make the NCMM successful. It will help India identify where to invest, where to explore, and how to reduce risks.
A Bigger Picture: India-UK Vision 2035
The launch of the GSCO is part of the India-UK Vision 2035 roadmap. This vision was adopted during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to India in October 2025. It has five pillars :
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Growth – trade and investment
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Technology and Innovation – AI, semiconductors, critical minerals
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Defence and Security – maritime security, intelligence sharing
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Climate and Clean Energy – renewable energy, green hydrogen
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Education – student exchange, university campuses
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the India-UK relationship has moved from being “historical and cultural” to becoming a “forward-looking highway of shared economic ambitions and high technology” . UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper added that the partnership has gone “from strength to strength” because of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the work under Vision 2035.
Also Announced: Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence
Along with the GSCO, India and the UK also signed an MoU to set up the Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) . This centre will help Indian Ocean states build capacity to address non-traditional maritime security threats like piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing. It will be set up by King’s College London and the National Maritime Foundation of India.
A Human Touch: Why This Matters for Ordinary People
You might wonder how an observatory for minerals affects your daily life. Here is the link: everything electronic in your home – your phone, laptop, fridge, car – depends on critical minerals. If supply chains break, prices rise. If prices rise, you pay more. By securing these supply chains, India and the UK are protecting consumers from price shocks. They are also ensuring that the transition to electric vehicles and clean energy does not get stalled due to lack of materials. In short, the GSCO is not just for governments and big companies. It is for every citizen who wants a stable, affordable, and green future.
Exam-Focused Points
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GSCO stands for Global Supply Chain Observatory (Critical Minerals)
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Launched on: 5 June 2026 in New Delhi
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Launched by: G. Kishan Reddy (India) and Yvette Cooper (UK)
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Associated framework: India-UK Vision 2035 (adopted October 2025)
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Implementing institutions: TEXMiN, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, University of Cambridge
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Funding: £1.2 million (approx. ₹12.5 crore)