Xi present, PM Modi says weaponisation of critical minerals hurdle to growth

China dominates the global supply chains of critical minerals and rare earths. Thus, PM Modi's pointed remarks, made in the presence of Xi Jinping, are being seen as a message to China.

In Short

• PM Modi stresses inclusivity at BRICS Summit
• Warns against weaponisation of technology and minerals
• China controls 90% of global rare earth minerals

Putting inclusivity at the centre of his closing remarks at the BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday cautioned against the "weaponisation" of technology and critical minerals, saying such measures could create "hurdles" to common growth. The pointed remarks, made in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, are being seen as a message to Beijing, which dominates the global supply chains of critical minerals and rare earths.

"The weaponisation of technology and critical minerals can hinder our shared progress. Therefore, we have emphasised inclusivity in the adoption of technology," PM Modi said at the BRICS session on 'Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.

PM'S MESSAGE TO CHINA?

Last year, China tightened export controls on rare earths and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing amid a trade war with the US. It has, however, eased some of those restrictions. China processes around 90% of the world's rare earths, which go into everything from solar panels to smartphones.

For India, the supply of critical minerals is key as it seeks to expand its manufacturing and clean-energy sectors.

Against this backdrop, PM Modi said the BRICS logistics supply chain cooperation framework would help make "our supply chains more reliable and resilient".

'WIN-WIN COLLABORATION'

At the outset, PM Modi underlined that, as BRICS chair, India's efforts focused on four pillars - resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability.

"With your cooperation and support, we have been able to transform our shared vision into a win-win collaboration," PM Modi said.

Perhaps the key highlight of his address was his pitch for inclusivity as he rooted for more voice for the Global South - a geopolitical term used to refer to developing or less-developed nations.

"We have sought to promote inclusive global growth through BRICS. We believe that the solutions developed within BRICS should not benefit BRICS countries alone. They should be made accessible to the needs of the Global South," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister asserted that the "confidence" of Global South countries in BRICS has grown because "their voices are heard, their experiences are respected, and solutions are created not just for them, but together with them".

"We (BRICS) may be rooted in different realities, but together we rise through cooperation and blossom for humanity," PM Modi said.

MESSAGE OF COOPERATION

He then went on to highlight several initiatives agreed upon by the BRICS members - outlining the message of cooperation amid a fractured world.

The big win, PM Modi said, was consensus on the BRICS Early Warning System for prevention and response to infectious diseases.

"Under innovation, the BRICS Incubator Network will connect our startups and incubators. To promote innovative and scalable solutions, we have proposed the BRICS Startup Innovation Fund," PM Modi said.

The BRICS network on digital agriculture, PM Modi emphasised, would create new opportunities for farmers.

"Through this, AI, geospatial technology and digital public infrastructure will be aligned with the actual needs of farmers," PM Modi pointed out.

- Ends