Modi warns that weaponising critical minerals threatens shared growth at BRICS summit
Modi told BRICS leaders that turning critical minerals and technology into weapons could stall collective development and urged inclusive tech access and resilient supply chains.
During the Day 2 session on Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability at the 2026 BRICS summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that using technology and critical minerals as geopolitical tools could hinder the bloc’s shared development. He urged the group to ensure inclusive technology adoption and to build more robust, diversified supply chains. Citing China’s dominant share of rare-earth mining and refining—up to 60 % of mined magnet rare earths and over 90 % of refined output in 2024—Modi noted recent Chinese export licences that have delayed shipments to Indian auto and EV makers.
He outlined BRICS measures such as an Integrated Early Warning System for disease, disaster-management data guidelines, a Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework, and innovation programmes like the Brics Incubator Network and Startup Innovation Fund. Sustainability efforts include a Digital Centre of Excellence for smart grids and agroecology centres. Modi stressed that these initiatives aim to benefit not only governments but also entrepreneurs, farmers, researchers and citizens across the Global South.
Why it matters
Control over critical minerals could reshape global trade and impact technology-dependent economies.
In this story
