India's coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy will visit Australia from October 25 to 30 to deepen cooperation on critical minerals. Finding lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth projects for India through state-owned KABIL is among the trip's main goals.
At a glance
- NMDC will open a Sydney office on October 26, with the minister inaugurating it.
- Reddy meets Australian resources minister Madeleine King on October 27 during the IMARC conference.
- India and Australia will also look at jointly building lithium hydroxide and carbonate refineries.
Background
Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earths are needed for electric-vehicle batteries, magnets and renewable energy. Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) is a state-owned company set up to buy stakes in such projects abroad. India and Australia signed a memorandum on cooperation in critical and strategic minerals, mining and processing in June 2020.
What is planned
Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy will visit Sydney and Melbourne from October 25 to 30, The Economic Times reported. He will meet Australian officials, mining companies, research institutes and industry leaders to secure critical-mineral supplies for India.
On October 26 he will open the Sydney office of state-owned miner NMDC and give a keynote speech at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC). The next day he meets Madeleine King, Australia's Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, and opens an India Pavilion set up by NMDC at the conference.
What India wants
Finding lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth and graphite projects for KABIL to invest in is one of the trip's main priorities. The two sides will also explore joint investment in refineries that turn lithium into lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate, either in India or in other countries.
On October 28, Reddy joins a roundtable on critical minerals and rare earths organised with the Minerals Council of Australia. In Melbourne he will open an Australian branch of state-owned NBCC and attend a critical-minerals conference at Monash University on October 29.
What it means for India
The ministry says the trip should help India diversify where its critical minerals come from and build more processing at home. Those minerals feed India's plans for electric vehicles, batteries, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. Opening an NMDC office in Sydney also gives Indian state companies a permanent base in Australia's mining industry. The real test will be whether the visit produces project stakes or supply deals.
Our read
Outlook: neutral. A ministerial visit sets up possible deals but changes no lithium supply or demand on its own.
What to watch
- Any KABIL investment or offtake deal for an Australian lithium, cobalt or rare earth project.
- Announcements from Reddy's October 27 meeting with Madeleine King.
- Whether a joint lithium hydroxide or carbonate refinery moves from talks to a firm plan.
For information only, not investment advice.
Lithium price in India
metalscost.com India reference price as of 2026-11-01.
Detailed analysis
Timeline
- 2026-10-26: Reddy opens NMDC's Sydney office and speaks at IMARC 2026.
- 2026-10-27: Reddy meets Australian resources minister Madeleine King.
- 2026-10-28: Critical minerals and rare earths roundtable with the Minerals Council of Australia.
- 2026-10-29: Critical minerals conference at Monash University in Melbourne.
Supply Drivers
Joint lithium refining in India or third countries would help India build its own processing capacity.
Government Policies
India is using ministerial diplomacy and state companies like KABIL and NMDC to secure overseas mineral supply.
What could lift prices
- More Indian buyers competing for Australian projects could support long-term lithium demand.
- Joint refining plans would add a new outlet for Australian lithium.
What could weigh on prices
- No specific project, volume or investment amount has been announced.
- Lithium refineries take years to build, so any effect on the market is distant.
Country impact
| Country | Impact | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| India | Medium | The visit aims to secure minerals for India's EV, battery and renewable-energy plans. |
| Australia | Low | Australian miners gain another potential state-backed investor and buyer. |
Industry impact
| Industry | Effect | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Minerals | Positive | The trip is focused on new investment and partnerships across the critical-minerals supply chain. |
| Battery Manufacturing | Neutral | Indian battery makers could benefit later if refining deals follow. |
Who gains, who loses
- NMDC: It opens a Sydney office and an IMARC pavilion to build ties in Australian mining.
- Competing buyers of Australian critical minerals: Indian state companies are setting up in Australia to bid for the same projects.
Other ways this could play out
- If KABIL signs a project stake during the trip, India would gain its first direct supply from the visit.
- If talks produce only memoranda, the practical effect on India's supply will stay limited.
Price risks
- Lithium prices depend on Chinese supply and EV demand far more than on diplomatic visits.
- Any deal announced could involve small volumes relative to the global market.
Historical comparison
- June 2020: India and Australia signed a memorandum on cooperation in critical and strategic minerals, mining and processing.
Technical view
Price is trading below both its 20-period and 50-period moving averages, a bearish alignment.
Computed from metalscost.com's own stored price history.
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