India-Zambia Negotiations on Critical Minerals Stalled Over Mining Rights Dispute
Negotiations between India and Zambia regarding critical minerals mining have reached an impasse due to Zambia's reluctance to provide assurances on mining rights. India had been allocated 9,000 square kilometers for exploring cobalt and copper, essential for electric vehicle batteries and electronics. Despite sending a team of geologists to collect samples, the lack of mining rights assurances has stalled progress. India is attempting to restart discussions, but the outcome remains uncertain. This development is part of India's broader strategy to secure critical mineral supplies amid a tightening global copper market, exacerbated by the 2018 closure of Vedanta's Sterlite Copper smelter. 
