XI Jinping By His Side At Brics Summit… Modi flags 'weaponisation' of tech & critical minerals

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that the "weaponisation" of technology and critical minerals could hinder shared prosperity, urging the BRICS nations to rise through cooperation, address the pressing challenges facing the Global South and blossom for humanity.

In an address at the concluding session of the two-day, India-hosted BRICS summit, the prime minister flagged concerns over rising global conflicts and urged the bloc to work together to mitigate their far-reaching impact on ordinary lives.

Modi said developing nations in the Global South increasingly trust BRICS because their voices are heard, their experiences are valued and solutions are created in partnership with them, rather than imposed on them.

The annual summit of BRICS -- a grouping of 11 major emerging economies representing around 49.5 per cent of the global population and 40 per cent of global GDP -- concluded with key outcomes across logistics supply chains, start-ups and infectious disease control.

Delving into pressing challenges facing the world, Modi said the "weaponisation of technology and critical minerals can hinder our shared progress. Therefore, we have emphasised inclusivity in the adoption of technology."

The prime minister's remarks assumed significance as they came amid growing concerns over China's restrictive policy on the export of critical minerals and its reluctance to share high-technologies.

"We may be rooted in different realities, but together, we rise through cooperation and blossom for humanity. May our diversity be our identity, our cooperation our inspiration, and our progress serve all of humanity," Modi said. Interestingly, the remarks were made in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Although the Prime Minister did not name any particular country, the remarks can be seen as a message to Beijing, 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, from the permanent magnets used in EVs and AI data centres to components in advanced electronics and semiconductors.

The Prime Minister highlighted how increasing resilience of BRICS nations is important to navigate the fractious geopolitical environment and that New Delhi chairship of the grouping was focused four pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.

Building on these four pillars, through BRICS, India sought to promote inclusive global growth as it believes that the benefits of solutions developed within the bloc should not remain confined to it alone and they should be made adaptable and accessible to meet the needs of the Global South. "I am pleased that, with all your cooperation and support, we have been able to translate our shared vision into win-win cooperation," he said.

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