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India-China Engagement on Germanium Export Restrictions
Context
India’s embassy in Beijing confirmed that the Indian government has formally taken up the issue of export restrictions on germanium with Chinese authorities. This follows grievances raised by Indian industry players affected by China's tightening control over exports of certain critical minerals, particularly germanium, which is essential for electronics, semiconductors, fiber optics, and solar panels.
About
- Germanium(Ge) is a metallic element with high conductivity and thermal conductivity, which makes it an important component in the semiconductor industry.
- Germanium wafers are thin, circular slices of pure germaniumthat serve as the foundation for many electronic devices.
- Germanium is a metalloidthat possesses metal and nonmetal properties.
- While germanium is not classified as a rare earth element, it plays a crucial role in high-technology industries.
- Ge is a metallic element used in:
- Fiber optic cables (as germanium dioxide in preform cores)
- Infrared optics
- Solar photovoltaic cells (especially for satellites and space applications)
- It is critical for high-tech industries, and its supply is concentrated in China, which accounts for over 50% of global production.
- India is highly dependent on imports for most critical minerals, including germanium and gallium.
- Clemens Winkler, a German scientist, discovered germanium in 1886.
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