Assurance from China: Wang Yi Pledges to Address India’s Concerns on Rare Earths, Fertilisers, and Tunnel-Boring Machines

In a significant breakthrough, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has assured India that Beijing will address three of New Delhi’s critical concerns — supply of rare-earth minerals, specialty fertilizers, and tunnel-boring machines (TBMs). The pledge was made during high-level discussions between Wang Yi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, coinciding with the 24th round of India–China border talks.

For months, these three supply bottlenecks had emerged as stumbling blocks in India–China trade ties, with ripple effects felt across Indian agriculture, industry, and infrastructure projects. Wang Yi’s assurances signal a potential thaw in strained bilateral relations, even as both countries seek to balance strategic competition with pragmatic cooperation.

The Background: Trade and Tensions

India and China have shared a complex economic relationship, where rivalry and interdependence coexist. While bilateral trade crossed $136 billion in 2024, India’s imports from China continue to far outpace its exports, leaving a trade deficit of over $80 billion.

In recent years, Beijing has quietly tightened its grip on certain exports to India. Though not always announced as formal bans, export restrictions were imposed through bureaucratic delays, quarantines, and shipping hurdles. Among the most affected items were:

• Rare-earth magnets and minerals — vital for India’s electronics, EVs, and renewable energy sectors.
• Specialty fertilizers — essential for high-value crops like horticulture, fruits, and vegetables.
• Tunnel-boring machines (TBMs) — crucial for mega infrastructure projects including metros, highways, and the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train.

India saw these restrictions as a form of economic coercion, adding strain to already tense border relations.

Why Rare Earths, Fertilisers, and TBMs Matter

Rare-earth elements may sound niche, but they are the backbone of modern technology. From smartphones and electric cars to defense equipment and wind turbines, rare earth magnets and alloys are indispensable. While India possesses the fifth-largest reserves globally, it lacks sufficient refining and processing capacity, forcing heavy reliance on Chinese imports.

Fertilizer curbs, meanwhile, directly hit Indian farmers. Imports of specialty fertilizers such as water-soluble blends are crucial between June and December, with annual demand touching 150,000–160,000 tonnes. The sudden halt of shipments not only raised prices but also threatened food security and agricultural growth.

As for TBMs, India’s ambitious infrastructure push has created massive demand. These giant machines carve tunnels for metros, railways, and highways. With several Chinese-made TBMs stuck at Indian ports since 2023, projects such as the bullet train and metro expansions suffered delays and cost escalations despite payments being made in advance.

What Changed Now?

The shift comes against the backdrop of renewed diplomatic outreach. India and China have been holding a series of confidence-building talks, not just on border issues but also on trade and economic exchanges. Wang Yi’s visit also precedes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming trip to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

During talks, Wang Yi reportedly promised to ease export restrictions, a move seen as a goodwill gesture to stabilize ties. Analysts suggest this is part of a broader recalibration by China, which is facing pressure from multiple global partners and is looking to reposition itself as a more reliable trading partner.

A Breather for Indian Industry and Farmers

If these assurances translate into action, the impact could be significant:

• Electronics & EV sector: Access to rare-earth magnets will revive supply chains for India’s growing electric vehicle industry and renewable energy ambitions.
• Agriculture: Restoring fertilizer shipments will stabilize crop yields and help farmers ahead of the upcoming planting season.
• Infrastructure: The release of TBMs will unlock stalled metro and rail projects, potentially saving billions in project overruns.

Industry insiders believe this could also reduce inflationary pressures in sectors directly affected by supply shortages.

Copying Past Patterns: Meerut to Beijing?

Interestingly, this is not the first time China has used export restrictions as leverage. In 2010, Beijing cut off rare-earth supplies to Japan during a diplomatic spat. Similar tactics have been used against Europe and the U.S. in recent years. By lifting restrictions on India now, Beijing may be signaling its intent to rebalance relations, especially as India actively builds alternate supply chains with Australia, the U.S., and Africa.

India’s Push for Self-Reliance

While the assurances from Beijing are welcome, New Delhi has already begun strategic moves to cut dependence on China.

• Public sector enterprises are investing in rare-earth refining plants.
• Fertilizer companies like Deepak Fertilizers, Nagarjuna, and Paradeep are scaling up domestic manufacturing.
• Infrastructure firms are exploring European and Japanese TBM suppliers, though costs remain higher.

This twin-track approach — engaging China while diversifying supply chains — reflects India’s long-term resilience strategy.

Expert Views

Policy analysts view this as a short-term relief, but not a long-term guarantee. Former diplomats caution that China may use trade promises tactically while keeping strategic leverage intact. Industry leaders, however, are optimistic that easing these bottlenecks will accelerate India’s growth trajectory.

Cybersecurity expert and trade analyst Ramesh Chand notes, “China’s gesture is positive, but India must not repeat the mistake of over-dependence. This should be the moment to fast-track our own capacity in rare earths and critical machinery.”

The Road Ahead

The coming months will reveal whether China’s assurances materialize into actual shipments and eased procedures. Even if they do, India is unlikely to lower its guard. Instead, policymakers are expected to continue diversifying trade partnerships while negotiating sectoral safeguards in future agreements.

If fulfilled, Wang Yi’s promise could mark the start of a more stable and pragmatic phase in India–China relations. If not, it may serve as another reminder of the risks of over-reliance.

Final Word

China’s assurance to India on rare-earths, fertilizers, and TBMs is more than just a trade development — it is a strategic signal. It reflects Beijing’s willingness to re-engage and New Delhi’s growing leverage in global supply chains. But as India prepares for the next chapter in its economic rise, the key lesson remains clear: strategic autonomy in critical sectors is not optional, it is essential.