Permanent Mission of India
New York
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United Nations High-Level Meeting on Critical Energy Transition Minerals
Plenary Segment

Statement by Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, Permanent Representative
14 July 2026

Chair,

India welcomes the convening of this High-Level Meeting and thanks the Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing international dialogue on critical energy transition minerals.

Critical minerals are indispensable for the clean energy transition, but for many developing countries they are also an opportunity to accelerate industrialization, create quality employment and strengthen domestic manufacturing. International cooperation must therefore enable countries to move towards greater value addition and resilient participation across global value chains.

India's own experience underscores the importance of this approach. As one of the world's fastest-growing renewable energy markets, India is strengthening resilient and diversified critical mineral supply chains through the National Critical Mineral Mission, while Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) is advancing strategic international partnerships. India has also actively participated in the United Nations Secretary-General's Initiative on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, reflecting our commitment to practical international cooperation that supports a secure, sustainable and equitable energy transition.

As we move towards implementation, three principles merit emphasis.

First, national ownership and permanent sovereignty over natural resources must remain the foundation of international cooperation.

Second, partnerships should promote investment, technology transfer, capacity-building and skills development on mutually agreed terms, enabling developing countries to expand processing, refining and manufacturing capacities.

Third, the United Nations should support Member States by strengthening technical cooperation, facilitating knowledge-sharing and leveraging existing institutional arrangements, while avoiding duplication of mandates.

Chair,

Critical energy transition minerals should become an engine for sustainable development, not another source of inequality. India stands ready to work with all partners to build resilient, transparent and diversified supply chains that promote shared prosperity and ensure that the benefits of the global energy transition are equitably distributed.

I thank you.

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