'Resource nationalism is becoming a tool of geopolitical leverage.' Analyse with recent examples.

Q. 'Resource nationalism is becoming a tool of geopolitical leverage.' Analyse with recent examples. (15 marks, 250-350 words)

Resource nationalism — a state asserting control over strategic natural resources through export bans, licensing or ownership — has widened from oil to niche industrial inputs. Recent supply shocks confirm it is now a calibrated instrument of geopolitical leverage, though one with real limits.

Why resources translate into leverage - Supply concentration: the United States (~43%) and Qatar (~33%) dominate world helium output, and critical mineral chains generally rest on a handful of producers [3][4]. - Chokepoint dependence: after the 2026 West Asia conflict, Strait of Hormuz shipping stalled — LNG exports contracted sharply and about 30% of world sulphur transit was disrupted [1][2]. - Non-substitutability: helium, a by-product of natural gas, is irreplaceable in semiconductor wafer cooling, MRI systems and aerospace, so denial hits high-value industry instantly [1][3].

Instruments visible in recent practice - Outright export bans: China's Ministry of Commerce and Customs imposed a temporary, immediate ban on helium exports on 10 July 2026 [3]. - Licensing gatekeeping: Russia requires Prime Ministerial approval for helium shipments through 2027 [3]. - Withdrawal of public buffers: the US privatised its Federal Helium Reserve in 2024, shifting shock absorption to private firms [3]. - Securitisation: the UN Security Council's July 2026 debate framed critical minerals as a peace-and-security question, not merely trade [4].

Analysing the limits of such leverage - It is asymmetric, not absolute: China produces barely ~1.6% of world helium and imports over 80%, so its ban is defensive hoarding rather than coercion [3]. - Triggers are often exogenous — the Qatari supply squeeze arose from conflict, not a bilateral dispute [1][3]. - Overuse is self-defeating, spurring substitution, recycling and buyer diversification.

Resource nationalism, therefore, functions less as a permanent weapon than as a stress test of supply-chain resilience. India's answer lies in deepening the National Critical Mineral Mission through exploration, recycling, stockpiles and overseas assets [5], while championing cooperative governance of resource flows. Aligning this with SDG 9 and SDG 12 would convert scarcity into shared resilience rather than rivalry.

(~330 words)

Sources: 1. Middle East war: After oil and gas, concerns grow over minerals crunch — UN News (April 2026) — Hormuz-driven minerals crunch, sulphur transit share, semiconductor exposure 2. Strait of Hormuz disruption hits energy, fertilizer and industrial trade — UN News (August 2026) — collapse in LNG and industrial export volumes through the chokepoint 3. Why has China banned helium exports? — The Hindu (13 July 2026) — 10 July 2026 ban; China's ~1.6% output and >80% import dependence; US/Qatar shares; Russian licensing; Federal Helium Reserve privatisation 4. Security Council debrief: Race for critical minerals intensifies amidst warnings of conflict — UN News (July 2026) — securitisation of critical mineral supply and governance debate 5. Cabinet approves National Critical Mineral Mission — PIB, Ministry of Mines — India's exploration, recycling and overseas-asset strategy