After reading this article you can solve this UPSC mains question
“Control over critical resources has emerged as an important instrument of geopolitical competition.” Discuss in the context of China’s recent restrictions on helium exports and examine the implications for India’s strategic security. (15 Marks) (GS-3, Science &Technology)
Why in news?
- China’s decision to restrict or ban helium exports marks another chapter in the growing trend of protective nationalism using control over critical minerals and industrial inputs to advance geopolitical and economic objectives.
- Although helium is the second most abundant element in the universe, it is rare and non-renewable on Earth, making it a strategic resource different sectors.
Reason why China has banned helium exports?
1. Strategic Response to Western Technology Restrictions
- China’s decision is widely viewed as a countermeasure to restrictions imposed by the United States and its allies on advanced semiconductor technologies and AI-related exports.
- Weaponisation of supply chains has become a defining feature of great-power competition.
2. Ensuring Domestic Supply
- China imports a substantial portion of its helium despite expanding domestic production.
- Restricting exports ensures uninterrupted domestic industrial growth.
3. National Security Considerations
Helium is indispensable in sensitive strategic sectors like-
· Missile technology
- Satellite manufacturing
- Nuclear research
- Cryogenic propulsion systems
- Military electronics
4. Supply Chain Diplomacy
- Critical resources have become instruments of foreign policy.
- Countries controlling essential minerals increasingly use export controls to the shift from globalisation to geo-economic competition.
Why is Helium considered as a Critical Resource?
Unlike many industrial gases, helium possesses unique physical and chemical properties that make it almost impossible to substitute-
·Lowest boiling point (-269°C) enables cryogenic cooling required for space and semiconductor technology
- Chemically inert to reactivity with other elements resulting les error in functioning.
- Extremely light makes useful to incorporate in diffent critical manufacturing sector.
- Excellent thermal conductivity useful for cooling in nuclear reactors.
Major Applications of Helium are
1.Healthcare services
- Helium is used as Cryogenic cooling of superconducting magnets in MRI machine.
- It is also used in screening machine like NMR due its Super Coolant property.
- Semiconductor Industry sector
Helium is used in:
- Helium functioning as Cooling semiconductor equipment for Chip manufacturing.
- Plasma etching process Helium cools water surface preventing damage to transitor circuits.
- Space Technology
Used extensively by both ISRO, NASA and SpaceX in
- In Rocket propulsion systems it is released into the fuel and oxidizer tanks and maintains constant pressure, ensuring uninterrupted fuel flow to the engines.
- Modern launch vehicles use cryogenic propellants Helium maintain safe flow of cryogenic propellants.
4. Defence sector
Applications include:
- Liquid helium cools infrared detectors to cryogenic temperatures, reducing thermal noise and improving sensitivity in radar systems.
- Modern missiles and launch vehicles use helium for Pressurizing fuel tanks to ensure a steady flow of propellants. Purging fuel lines,Leak testing.
5. Scientific Research activities
Helium is essential for:
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) for accuracy in screening etechnology.
- Quantum error free computing removes errors in Quantum computing neglecting Quantum Noise effect.
6. Industrial Applications
Helium is extensively used in
- Fibre optic manufacturing for Rapid and Uniform Cooling due to its Thermal conductivity.
- Helium is used in deep-sea diving breathing mixtures because it is chemically inert, has low density, and does not produce narcotic effects under high pressure
Global Helium Scenario
- Major producers are United States, Qatar, Algeria, Russia, China.
- Recent report has showed one-third of global helium production is now literally bottled up behind the Strait of Hormuz, a much higher percentage than world oil production.
Impact of China’s Export Ban
1. Disruption of Global Supply Chains: Countries dependent on imported helium may face
- Supply shortages leading to delayed production of smartphones, laptops, and consumer electronics.
- Delays in fabrication lower production yields due to thermal instability in semiconductor manufacturing.
2. Rising Prices of chips
- Reduced global availability could significantly increase helium prices, affecting industries worldwide.
- Increased transportation cost due to choke points in fragmented supplychain like Strait of Hormuz issue.
3. Semiconductor Industry: The global semiconductor ecosystem could experience:
- Higher manufacturing costs, delayed chip production
- Shortage in supply leads to low efficieny leak detection and vaccum integrity.
4. Healthcare services
- Hospitals may encounter: Inability in MRI screening for disease diagnosis due to lack of Cryognic cooling.
- Delayed installation of new imaging facilities like NMR.
5. Defence and Space Programmes: Countries dependent on imported helium may face
- Delays in satellite manufacturing, Missile testing constraints and launching Milittary satellite progamme.
- The greatest impact is typically on program schedules and costs rather than the long-term viability of military satellite operations.
Implications for India
1. Healthcare Sector: Supply shortages may affect:
- MRI scanners that experience a helium loss (“quench”) may be taken out of service until they can be refilled with coolant Helium.
- Due to rise in mainatainance cost of screening equipments there will be increase in out of pocket expenditure in disease treatment.
2. Semiconductor Mission: Supply uncertainty may discourage investment in India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) because of Supply chain disruption.
3. Space Programme: ISRO’s launch vehicles and cryogenic engines require helium during testing and launch operations any disruption could affect mission schedules.
4. Defence Preparedness: Supply insecurity could impact strategic capabilities like
- Missile programmes
- DRDO research
- Aerospace manufacturing
5. Manufacturing Competitiveness
- Electronics, fibre optics and precision manufacturing sectors may face higher production costs.
Way Forward
1. Diversifying Import Sources
- Reduce dependence on any single supplier by strengthening partnerships withn USA, Qatar, Algeria, Russia.
- Exploring rare earth mineral sources in abroad under KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Limited).
2. Strategic Reserve Helium
- Establish national reserves similar to strategic petroleum reserves for critical industrial gases.
- Helium extraction buffer stock need to be ensured under LNG pipeline infrastructure.
3. Domestic Exploration
- Exploring helium-rich natural gas reserves in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Eastern sedimentary basins
- Encouraging private investment in helium extraction technologies through several investment models.
4. Circular Economy
- Promoteing recyclable economy through Helium recovery systems, recycling technologies,efficient industrial usage.
- Large hospitals and semiconductor units should adopt helium recovery infrastructure.
5. Strengthen Critical Mineral Strategy
- Expand India’s Critical Minerals Mission to include strategic industrial gases such as helium alongside lithium, cobalt, rare earths and graphite.
6. International Cooperation
Develop resilient supply chains through multilateral initiatives like-
- Quad
- Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)
- India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
Conclusion
- As the world transitions towards advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and clean energy, access to strategic industrial inputs, China’s helium export restrictions underscore a broader transformation in international politics.
- India’s Technological self reliance can be achived through comprehensive strategy involving diversified imports, domestic exploration, strategic reserves, recycling, and international partnerships strengthening the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.