India's negotiations with Zambia concerning the mining of critical minerals, specifically cobalt and copper, have hit a roadblock due to Zambia's failure to provide assurances regarding mining rights. India was allocated 9,000 square kilometers (approximately 3,475 square miles) to explore these minerals, which are essential for electric vehicle batteries and various electronic applications. A geologist team dispatched last year returned with mineral samples, but the exploration program, intended to last three years, is now in jeopardy. The Indian government aims to secure these resources amid a tightening global copper market, especially as copper imports have increased since the closure of Vedanta's Sterlite Copper smelter in 2018. In the fiscal year ending March 2025, India is projected to import 1.2 million metric tons of copper, a 4% increase from the previous year. Additionally, India's dependence on cobalt is growing, with shipments expected to rise 20% in 2024-25 to 693 metric tons.