The Indian government is actively engaging in discussions with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) to access rare earth minerals from KIA-controlled territories in northern Myanmar, according to Reuters news agency. This move is being interpreted as India’s attempt to enter Myanmar’s natural resource market, which has been predominantly controlled by China. Four sources familiar with the matter have confirmed that India is seeking to obtain rare earth mineral samples from the region.
The Indian Ministry of Mines has directed the state-owned IREL and private company Midwest Advanced Materials to collect and transport rare earth mineral samples from the northeastern regions of Myanmar under KIA control. Both IREL and Midwest Advanced Materials have received funding from the Indian government to pursue commercial rare earth mineral production. The Indian government plans to analyze these samples in domestic laboratories to assess whether they contain sufficient quantities of rare earth elements for commercial exploitation.
This unusual engagement between the Indian government and a non-state armed organization represents a significant diplomatic development. An online meeting was held in July, attended by representatives from IREL, Midwest, and another company. The KIA has already begun collecting rare earth mineral samples for Indian testing and is discussing potential future exports to India. The organization is actively cooperating with Indian authorities to facilitate the sampling process and possible future mineral trade arrangements.
When approached for comment on these developments, the Indian government, the mining companies involved, and the KIA have all declined to make official statements. This initiative marks a strategic move by India to diversify its rare earth mineral sources and potentially challenge China’s dominance in the Myanmar natural resources sector. The collaboration between India and the KIA could potentially reshape the regional dynamics of rare earth mineral trade, though the full implications of this partnership remain to be seen as discussions continue to develop.
