India is looking to secure rare-earth minerals from Myanmar with help from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), according to multiple sources. This comes as Beijing continues to limit access to critical resources.
The Ministry of Mines in India has asked state-owned and private companies to examine the potential of rare-earth deposits in Myanmar. IREL, a government-owned miner, and Midwest Advanced Materials, a private firm involved in magnet production, have participated in early discussions.
The plan involves collecting samples from mines in Myanmar’s Kachin state, which are under the control of the KIA. These samples will then be tested in Indian laboratories to determine if they contain heavy rare earths suitable for industrial use. Such minerals are essential for magnets used in electric vehicles, defense systems, and advanced electronics.
The KIA has reportedly agreed to supply the first batch of samples and may consider larger exports if the results are promising. For India, this move represents a rare engagement with a non-state actor to meet strategic resource needs.
China, which dominates the processing and refining of rare earths, has restricted exports to other major economies this year. Analysts say these measures are part of Beijing’s efforts to increase geopolitical leverage. With rising demand for electric vehicles and green technologies, India is under pressure to diversify its supply chains.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already raised the issue of rare-earth cooperation with Myanmar’s junta leadership. However, no official deal has been announced so far.
Experts note that even if a supply route from Myanmar is secured, challenges remain. Transporting minerals across remote mountainous terrain is difficult, and large-scale processing capacity in India is still under development. Partnerships with Japan and South Korea are being considered to fill this gap.
Analysts believe that New Delhi’s outreach to Myanmar’s rebels reflects not only its urgent resource needs but also growing competition with China in the region.
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