India seeks ₹5,128-crore stake in lithium projects in Aus: Report

Government-backed Khanij Bidesh India Ltd has partnered with Coal India, Oil India and ONGC Videsh to seek a 20% stake worth ₹5,128 crore in Chilean miner SQM's Mount Holland and Andover lithium projects in Australia, Reuters reported. This comes as Centre anticipates increase in EV battery metal demands. This will reportedly be India's biggest attempt to secure lithium supplies overseas.