AsianFin -- India has reportedly asked state-owned miner IREL to suspend rare earth exports to Japan, potentially disrupting a 13-year-old supply agreement, according to Reuters sources.

The move is intended to prioritize domestic demand and reduce India’s dependence on China for critical materials vital to high-tech sectors, including electric vehicle (EV) production. The decision comes as China tightens its own rare earth exports, prompting countries to re-evaluate supply chain security for these strategic resources.