Washington DC, Jan. 14 -- Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday joined finance ministers from 10 countries at a multinational meeting in Washington to discuss strengthening critical minerals supply chains amid concerns over China's dominance in the sector.

US treasury secretary Scott Bessent hosted the gathering, which included representatives from representatives from the G7 nations, Mexico and the European Union. Officials said the discussions laid the groundwork for possible future collaborations in critical minerals.

Washington stressed the need for "prudent derisking", expressing concern that supply chains had become vulnerable to disruption and manipulation due to excessive concentration in a few geographies - a reference to C...