India’s Rare Earth Magnet Shortage: Navigating China’s Export Restrictions
India grapples with a critical shortage of rare earth magnets due to China’s tightened export controls, threatening its EV and electronics industries. Explore the role of rare earths, affected sectors, key players, and India’s strategies to secure its supply chain. Introduction India’s drive toward electric mobility and cutting-edge manufacturing faces a significant hurdle—not from economic slowdown or lack of demand, but from a scarce yet essential component: rare earth magnets. In April 2025, China, which supplies the majority of the world’s rare earth materials, imposed stringent export limits, disrupting India’s supply chain. With over 80% of India’s rare earth magnet imports originating from China, this restriction is creating ripples across the automotive, electronics, and renewable energy sectors. This article examines the significance of rare earth magnets, their applications, the impact of the supply crunch, key stakeholders, and India’s roadmap to mitigate this crisis. Unders...