PM Modi in Jinping's presence, warns against 'weaponization of critical minerals' at BRICS Summit
PTC News Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his closing remarks at the BRICS Summit on Sunday, stressed the importance of inclusivity and warned against the “weaponisation” of technology and critical minerals.
He said using these resources as tools of geopolitical pressure could create barriers to shared economic growth. His remarks, made in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, are being seen as an indirect message to Beijing, which plays a major role in the global supply chain of critical minerals and rare earth elements.
China tightened export controls on rare earths and other materials essential for advanced technology manufacturing last year during its trade tensions with the US. Some of these restrictions have since been eased. China currently processes around 90% of the world's rare earths, which are used in products ranging from smartphones to solar panels.
"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'.
For India, reliable access to critical minerals is important for expanding manufacturing and clean-energy industries.
Against this backdrop, PM Modi said the BRICS logistics supply chain cooperation framework would help make supply chains more reliable and resilient.
At the beginning of his closing address, Modi said India’s BRICS presidency focused on four key areas — resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
“With your cooperation and support, we have been able to transform our shared vision into a win-win collaboration,” Modi said.
Focus on Global South
A major part of Modi’s speech focused on giving greater importance to the Global South, a term commonly used for developing and emerging countries.
He said confidence in BRICS among Global South nations has increased because their voices are being heard, their experiences are being respected and solutions are being developed together with them.
“We may be rooted in different realities, but together we rise through cooperation and blossom for humanity,” Modi said.
BRICS pushes cooperation
Modi also highlighted several initiatives agreed upon by BRICS members, presenting them as examples of cooperation amid growing global tensions.
One of the key achievements, he said, was the agreement on a BRICS Early Warning System aimed at improving the prevention and response to infectious diseases.
- PTC NEWS
