India Eyes Russian Siberian Rare Earth Deposits to Counter China's Dominance

India is aggressively pursuing new avenues to secure its critical mineral supply chain by entering discussions to source rare earth samples from Russia’s massive Tomtor deposit in Siberia. This strategic move aims to reduce heavy reliance on China and bolster India's domestic manufacturing capabilities for high-tech industries.

Strategic Engagement with Rosneft for Tomtor Samples

State-owned miner IREL, operating under the Department of Atomic Energy, is currently in talks with the Russian oil major Rosneft regarding the Tomtor deposit in Yakutia. Following Rosneft's acquisition of the site last year, these discussions are being facilitated through official government channels.

The proposed plan involves obtaining mineral samples from the site, which will undergo processing in Russia before being shipped to India for analysis. India intends to conduct a rigorous study of the mineral composition of the Tomtor deposit to determine its suitability before committing to any deeper or long-term commercial engagement.

Strengthening the Domestic High-Tech Ecosystem

Rare earth elements are indispensable components for modern technology, particularly in the manufacturing of electric vehicle (EV) motors, advanced defence systems, and clean energy infrastructure. While India possesses the world’s third-largest rare earth reserves—estimated at approximately 7.23 million metric tons—the country currently lacks the large-scale refining capacity required for high-purity separation.

To address this gap, the Indian government has approved a ₹73 billion ($770.77 million) programme specifically designed to boost domestic rare earth magnet production. The ultimate goal is to achieve large-scale domestic magnet production by the 2029–30 period, a critical milestone for India's green energy transition.

A Diversified Global Sourcing Strategy

The pursuit of Siberian minerals is just one facet of India's broader geopolitical strategy to de-risk its mineral supply chain. India is actively evaluating mining prospects across a diverse geographical spread, including Argentina, Australia, and Malawi.

Furthermore, IREL is maintaining parallel discussions with industrial firms in Japan and South Korea to leverage technological expertise. This multi-pronged approach—which has previously included exploring samples from Myanmar—highlights India's urgency to secure stable, non-Chinese sources of critical minerals to fuel its growing industrial ambitions.

Key Takeaways