Modi warns against weaponizing critical minerals at BRICS summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned on Sunday that the weaponization of technology and critical minerals could hinder shared global progress, delivering the message at the BRICS summit in New Delhi with Chinese President Xi Jinping in attendance. The remarks, made during a session on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability, were widely interpreted as a pointed message to China, which dominates global supply chains for rare earth elements and other critical minerals. Modi emphasized that BRICS nations must ensure inclusive access to technology and build resilient supply chains to prevent such resources from becoming tools of economic coercion. "The weaponisation of technology and critical minerals can hinder our shared progress. Therefore, we have emphasised inclusivity in the adoption of technology," Modi stated. The warning comes as critical minerals assume growing strategic importance for clean energy systems, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies. China processes approximately 90% of the world's rare earths, which are essential for products ranging from solar panels to smartphones.