India, April 22 -- Rare Earth Elements (REEs) have emerged as a strategic frontier in global geopolitics. These 17 metallic elements-critical to advanced electronics, renewable energy, and defense systems-are the foundation of the digital and green economies. Although geologically abundant, the challenge lies in economically viable extraction and processing-a domain currently dominated by China.

As global supply chains become increasingly weaponised, countries like the United States are racing to reduce their dependence on China's near-monopoly over REEs. South and Central Asia, particularly Pakistan and Afghanistan, with their untapped mineral wealth, have suddenly emerged as key players in this scramble. However, this potential is embe...