New Delhi: “Weaponisation” of technology and critical minerals could hinder shared progress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned in his closing remarks at the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi on Sunday.
The use of strategic resources and technology as tools of pressure could affect shared development, he said in the presence of Chinese president Xi Jinping.
This is being seen as a message to Beijing, which dominates the global supply chains of critical minerals and rare earths.
China processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which go into nearly everything – from solar panels to smartphones.
Last year, amid a trade war with the US, the country has tightened export controls on rare earths and other materials that are critical for advanced tech manufacturing.
“The weaponisation of technology and critical minerals can hinder shared progress. Therefore, we have emphasised on inclusivity in the adoption of technology,” PM Modi said.
Calling for stronger cooperation among BRICS countries to address global challenges, he stressed the need to balance human development with environmental protection and said India’s BRICS presidency had focused on four pillars — resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
India had worked to turn the grouping’s shared vision into “win-win cooperation” with the support of member countries, PM Modi said.
Cooperation within the grouping should extend beyond governments and include entrepreneurs, farmers, researchers, women, youth and ordinary citizens, he said.
The Prime Minister said the number of conflicts and tensions around the world was continuously increasing and having a negative and widespread impact on ordinary people.
Pandemics, climate disasters and disruptions to supply chains had shown that in an interconnected world, no crisis could remain confined to a single region, he added.
BRICS had therefore placed special emphasis on strengthening resilience within the grouping, PM Modi said, insisting that countries needed to identify challenges in time, prepare for them and take immediate action.
Under India’s chairship, the grouping worked around resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, the Prime Minister said, announcing that an agreement had been reached on a BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for the prevention and response to infectious diseases.
Guidelines for Early Warning Data Integration have also been prepared for disaster management, he said.
The BRICS Logistics Supply Chain Operation Framework would help make supply chains more reliable and resilient. The grouping has also proposed a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund to promote innovative and scalable solutions, he said.
The BRICS Incubator Network would connect startups and incubators with one another, PM Modi said.
He also highlighted the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture, which he said would create new opportunities for farmers. Under this initiative, artificial intelligence, geospatial technology and digital public infrastructure will be integrated with the actual capabilities and needs of farmers.
