State-run Coal India is scouting for critical minerals in Argentina and is in talks with officials in Chile for lithium, India's federal mines secretary V. L. Kantha Rao said on Wednesday. India has been exploring ways to secure supplies of lithium,

"Coal India and some other companies are looking at Argentina," Rao told reporters on the sidelines of an industry event.

Coal India is exploring critical minerals in Argentina and is in discussions with Chile for lithium, according to India's federal mines secretary. The move aims to secure supplies of lithium, essential for electric vehicle batteries.