Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the first leg of his five-nation tour, has landed in Ghana, setting the tone with a high-stakes agreement on rare earth mineral mining. This is an area critical to India’s electric vehicle (EV) ambitions and currently dominated by China.
Soon after his arrival in the capital of the West African nation, PM Modi held wide-ranging talks with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. The two leaders led delegation-level discussions that resulted in multiple strategic agreements, with the rare earth minerals pact emerging as the most crucial.
India-Ghana Trade Ties To Double In 5 Years
Speaking after the meetings, PM Modi underscored India’s commitment to being a true partner in Ghana’s growth journey. “We have set a target to double bilateral trade in the next five years. India is not just a participant in Ghana’s development; we are co-travellers in this journey,” he said.
The agreements, signed in President Mahama’s presence, span several sectors, including culture and traditional medicine. However, the rare earth mining accord stood out, not just for its economic significance but for the geopolitical signal it sends.
Loosening China’s Grip on Rare Earth Supply
China has long held a near-monopoly on the global supply of rare earth minerals—essential components for manufacturing EV batteries, wind turbines, and smartphones. This dominance has posed a serious challenge for India’s green tech ambitions.
With this new partnership, India takes a decisive step toward breaking that stranglehold. The deal with Ghana is being seen as a direct and strategic response to China’s tight control over rare earth exports, which has previously hampered India’s EV projects.
A United Front Against Terrorism
Beyond trade and minerals, the two leaders found common ground on security concerns. PM Modi and President Mahama jointly agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a “comprehensive partnership.”
On the issue of global terrorism, Modi was unequivocal: “Terrorism is the enemy of humanity. We have decided to further deepen our cooperation in tackling this threat.” He also expressed gratitude for Ghana’s support in India’s ongoing fight against terrorism.
What’s Next on Modi’s African Outreach?
This visit marks India’s growing outreach to Africa—not just for economic ties, but for strategic alliances that can shift global power equations. As PM Modi moves on to the next leg of his five-nation tour, all eyes are on how India continues to forge critical partnerships that challenge old monopolies and open new frontiers.
