- Haryana and NCR to become centers of the new battery economy
- Discovery of 5.9 million tons of lithium in Reasi gives India a strategic advantage
- Gurugram to become a major hub for battery technology, research, and corporate investment
Gurugram : India is poised to gain a significant strategic advantage in the field of lithium, which plays a decisive role in the 21st-century global energy system. Following the confirmation of an estimated 5.9 million tons of lithium reserves in the Reasi region of Jammu and Kashmir, there are possibilities for widespread changes in the country’s industrial and energy policies. Deepak Maini, Chairman of the Progressive Federation of Trade and Industry (PFTI), has called this a major turning point for India in terms of energy security and industrial self-reliance.
Deepak Maini said that while the global power balance in the 20th century rested on an oil-based economy, in the 21st century, batteries and clean energy are at the forefront. Lithium-ion batteries have become the backbone of smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage. Therefore, domestic lithium resources have the potential to make India technologically and economically stronger.
He said that until now, India has been 100% dependent on imports for its lithium needs, with a large portion coming from China and its associated supply networks. The discovery of domestic reserves will reduce import dependence and mitigate supply chain risks in strategic sectors. This will give India the opportunity to establish itself as a reliable alternative supplier globally.
According to Chairman Maini, industrial states, especially Haryana, will directly benefit from this discovery. Haryana is already a major center for automobile manufacturing and the auto components industry. The expansion of lithium-based battery manufacturing will give new impetus to electric vehicle production in the state. This will strengthen the local supply chain, create new employment opportunities, and reduce production costs.
Regarding Gurugram, he said that the city is one of the country’s leading corporate and startup hubs. Gurugram can become a crucial center for research and development related to battery technology, electric mobility, and energy storage. The multinational companies and technology startups present here can leverage India’s developing battery ecosystem to create solutions for the global market.
The development of lithium-based industries will make electric vehicles more affordable in India. Domestic battery production will reduce import costs, and this benefit will directly reach consumers. It will also reduce the significant foreign exchange expenditure on oil imports, positively impacting the economy.
Deepak Maini stated that the exploitation of lithium resources must be done while keeping environmental balance in mind. For this, the central and state governments must ensure a clear policy framework, transparent processes, and strict adherence to environmental standards. He urged the industry to develop battery refining and production capacity in India with long-term investments.
He said that the future belongs not to petrol, but to battery-based energy. Self-reliance in the field of lithium can make India not only a large consumer market but also a strong center for global energy and technology production. Industrial and corporate hubs like Haryana and Gurugram will be major beneficiaries of this transformation and will lead India’s new energy economy.