Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw joined Finance Ministers from several countries at the Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting hosted by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington. The discussions focused on strengthening and diversifying supply chains for critical minerals, particularly rare earth elements that are vital for modern manufacturing. Vaishnaw highlighted the importance of resilient mineral supply chains as electronics and other manufacturing sectors expand rapidly in India. The meeting included exchanges on refining and processing technologies, long-term access to high-quality minerals, and sustainable methods to secure supplies. Ministers also discussed funding for new projects, recycling minerals from waste, technology sharing, and collaborative research efforts. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said there was a shared commitment among nations to address existing weaknesses in critical mineral supply chains and stressed the need for prudent derisking rather than decoupling.