India and Australia must move decisively to build resilient energy supply chains
Singh was delivering the keynote address at a policy dialogue on “Building the India-Australia Energy Security Corridor for Indo-Pacific Resilience”. The event was organized by CUTS International in association with the Rajasthan International Center in Jaipur.
The event brought together policymakers, researchers and strategic affairs experts to examine how the two countries can deepen cooperation in energy security, critical minerals, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and resilient supply chains in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.
Opening the discussion, Pradeep S. Mehta, Secretary General of CUTS International, highlighted India’s accelerating transition towards renewable and nuclear energy and noted that reforms in India’s nuclear responsibility framework have opened new avenues for international cooperation.
He noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Australia for the annual Summit with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; this visit resulted in Australia reaching an agreement. among others Being a reliable uranium supplier underlines the expanding strategic dimension of bilateral energy cooperation.
CUTS Executive Director Bipul Chattopadhyay moderated the discussion. In his opening remarks, Chattopadhyay noted that India’s energy partnerships are increasingly diversified as India deepens cooperation with its partners in the Indo-Pacific.
He emphasized the importance of collaborative research, technology partnerships and corporate collaboration in developing critical mineral processing capabilities and reducing dependence on concentrated global supply chains. “India no longer looks solely to the West for energy security; it is strengthening its partnerships in the East and Australia is emerging as a key strategic energy partner.” said Chattopadhyay.
Discussions focused on the strategic case for an India-Australia Energy Security Corridor that could support the clean energy transition while strengthening Indo-Pacific resilience more broadly. Singh argued that the definition of energy security has changed.
It is no longer limited to the availability of oil and gas, he said, but now starts with access to critical minerals and extends to mining, refining, manufacturing, logistics and reliable supply chains.
Geopolitical disruptions, from conflicts in West Asia to supply chain bottlenecks, show how quickly regional crises can spill over into energy markets and destabilize economies across the Indo-Pacific, he said.
Highlighting the complementary strengths of the two countries, Singh observed that Australia has some of the world’s largest reserves of lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements, while India brings one of the world’s fastest-growing manufacturing sectors, along with ambitious renewable energy and green hydrogen targets.
He argued that critical minerals should form the basis of the proposed corridor, allowing both countries to move beyond traditional buyer-seller relationships towards long-term industrial partnerships in processing, battery production and clean energy technologies.
Singh also warned against over-reliance on global supply chains, particularly concentrated in mineral processing and battery production, emphasizing that resilient, diversified supply chains built on trusted partnerships will be central to both strategic security and the transition to clean energy.
He identified several practical areas for bilateral cooperation, including joint processing of critical minerals, green hydrogen, battery technologies, skills development, advanced manufacturing and green steel, and highlighted the complementary roles that Japan, Singapore and the Quartet can play in strengthening Indo-Pacific supply chain resilience through technology, investment, logistics and financing.
“Critical minerals must be at the heart of the India-Australia Energy Security Corridor. They are the foundation not only of the clean energy transition, but also of long-term strategic resilience in the Indo-Pacific,” Singh said.
Answering questions from attendees, Singh acknowledged that significant progress had been made through initiatives such as the Australia-India Renewable Energy Partnership and joint skills programmes, but the next phase needed to focus on implementation.
Expanding collaborative research, investment and workforce development is essential to creating alternative and reliable supply chains that can sustain both countries’ long-term energy goals, he said.
Participants agreed that energy security can no longer be viewed solely through the lens of production and increasingly encompasses critical minerals, manufacturing capabilities, logistics, technology partnerships and resilient supply chains.
A key theme in this dialogue was the commitment of both the Australia India Institute and CUTS International to develop a stronger partnership between Australia and India. Other areas of collaboration other than energy include defense industry, bilateral trade, Indian diaspora, etc. will take place, which could help strengthen the relationship between the two countries and their civil societies.
