Our Bureau
New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday warned against the “weaponisation” of critical minerals and technology at BRICS Summit, saying such practices could obstruct shared progress. Speaking on the concluding day of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Modi called for resilient supply chains, inclusive technological development and stronger cooperation among member nations.
The remarks came as Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the summit, where he and Modi also held discussions on improving bilateral relations, business links and border peace.
The warning came amid growing concerns over the strategic control of resources essential to modern industries. Critical minerals, including lithium and rare earth elements, are vital for batteries, electronics, renewable energy systems and other advanced technologies. Their concentration in a few countries has increased concerns about supply disruptions and economic dependence.
PM Modi stressed that BRICS must ensure technology and essential resources remain accessible for collective development rather than being used as instruments of pressure. He also advocated practical measures to strengthen the grouping’s resilience against geopolitical tensions, supply-chain shocks and other global disruptions.
Among the initiatives discussed was a proposed BRICS Startup Innovation Fund to support scalable and inclusive technological solutions.