The two countries signed an interim free trade agreement to be given shape as a comprehensive pact at a subsequent date aimed at deepening cooperation in critical minerals and their processing
Australia is pulling out all the stops to address India's critical minerals needs, in the shadow of China's dominance in the sector.
Australia and India have long maintained a friendly rivalry on the cricket pitch.
But now both countries have begun playing on an altogether different pitch below the Earth's surface and the seabed in their respective bids to scour for the critical minerals needed in the world's transition to clean sources of energy.
As recently as July 1, the two countries signed an interim free trade agreement to be given shape as a comprehensive pact at a subsequent date aimed at deepening cooperation in critical minerals and their processing.
While India seeks to tap into Australia's huge lithium and cobalt deposits, Australian government officials are prepared to go the extra mile to make their friend's access to critical minerals easier.
Indeed, the Australian government has promised to "facilitate" Indian companies' access to resources, partnerships and investments.
Critical minerals form the bedrock of this India-Australia bonhomie, especially when the latter has the world's largest deposits of lithium and the second-largest reserves of cobalt.
Critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper and rare earth minerals are increasingly being sought by most countries as India finds itself on the cusp of transitioning to clean energy technologies.
While lithium is an important element in electric vehicle batteries, cobalt is used in the manufacture of aircraft engines, gas turbines, high-speed steels and corrosion-resistant alloys.
Cutting-edge technologies based on semiconductor chips are heavily dependent on critical minerals.
While silicon forms the base material for semiconductor chip manufacturing, tantalum, germanium, cobalt and some rare earth elements are also used for producing its capacitors and other systems.
Strategic defence equipment requires corrosion-resistant and high-strength critical minerals, thereby making secure and resilient supply chains essential for robust defence capabilities.