Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, stated that India is increasing its exploration of critical minerals, fostering a startup-driven mining ecosystem, and building strong domestic value chains to reduce import dependence. Addressing the Governing Body meeting of the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust in New Delhi, the Minister outlined key priorities to accelerate exploration, strengthen domestic capacity, and expand participation in the critical minerals sector. The meeting was co-chaired by Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy. Dr. Singh emphasized that the pace of exploration, particularly for lithium and other critical minerals, must align with global demand and India's strategic needs. He highlighted ongoing work in regions such as Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, and called for expanding indigenous exploration efforts. He underscored the need to create a conducive environment for startups and private players, suggesting institutional support, incentives, and faster approvals to boost innovation in mining technologies. The Minister said reducing import dependence requires end-to-end domestic supply chains, including processing and value addition. He also called for resolving delays related to clearances and enhancing local community engagement for smoother project implementation.