The United States is intensifying its push for quicker global action to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals, including rare earths. This initiative, spearheaded by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, culminated in a high-level ministerial meeting in Washington around January 12, 2026, where G7 nations and key allies, including India, Australia, South Korea, and Mexico, convened to discuss strategies for diversifying critical mineral supply chains. Secretary Bessent expressed frustration over the perceived lack of urgency among G7 members since a previous summit in Canada, where leaders had agreed on an action plan to secure supply chains. The renewed push comes amidst growing concerns over China's overwhelming dominance in the global critical minerals sector, particularly its near-monopoly in refining capacity, which ranges from 47% to 87% for various critical minerals. China has reportedly leveraged this dominance through export restrictions, impacting global supply, and underscoring the strategic vulnerability for countries dependent on these materials for defense technologies, semiconductors, renewable energy, and electric vehicles. India's participation in these crucial talks was highlighted by Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, who emphasized the vital role of secure and resilient critical mineral supply chains in achieving India's 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) vision and bolstering its rapidly growing manufacturing and electronics sectors. Discussions at the meeting focused on a range of measures, including funding for new projects, technology sharing, and promoting recycling to secure long-term, sustainable access to high-quality critical minerals. Furthermore, India is expected to join the US-led Pax Silica initiative and has also recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany to enhance cooperation on critical minerals, semiconductors, and renewables, reflecting a broader strategic alignment among democratic nations. The overall consensus among participants was the urgent need to "de-risk" rather than "decouple" from China, focusing on building resilient alternatives through international cooperation and strategic investments.