A new pact between India and the US aims to secure critical mineral supplies, positioning India as an alternative to China. However, analysts believe India's significant resources are unlikely to challenge Beijing's long-standing dominance in the sector soon.

A new India-US pact on critical minerals has put the spotlight on New Delhi’s potential as an alternative to China, but analysts say despite the country’s significant resources, it is unlikely to dent Beijing’s dominance in the sector any time soon. Delhi and Washington signed a framework agreement on May 26 during US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India to secure supplies of critical minerals and rare earths, including their mining and processing. According to a US embassy statement,...