Modi warns against weaponisation of technology, critical minerals at BRICS summit

As BRICS prepared to wrap up its two-day summit in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today cautioned against the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals, saying this could hinder shared progress.

In a speech on the concluding day of the BRICS summit at Bharat Mandapam, he said increasing geopolitical tensions are adversely impacting ordinary lives globally and urged BRICS to unite to address these challenges and drive inclusive growth, particularly across the global South.

Modi made the remarks in the presence of top BRICS leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

Modi said the world is witnessing increasing tensions, and they are having a significant negative impact on the lives of ordinary people.

"Pandemics, climate disasters, and supply chain disruptions have demonstrated that in today's interconnected world, no crisis remains confined to a single region," he added.

Modi's remarks about weaponisation of critical minerals can be viewed as a message to China, which holds a dominant position in global supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths.

Last year, China tightened its export controls on rare earths and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing during trade negotiations with the United States.

China controls more than 90 percent of global rare-earth refining, giving it enormous leverage over critical technologies ranging from the permanent magnets used in EVs and AI data centres to components in advanced electronics and semiconductors.

Modi said a consensus has been reached on a BRICS integrated early warning system for the prevention of and response to infectious diseases.

The guidelines for an early warning data integration mechanism have also been formulated, he said.