New Delhi, June 2026 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his address at the BRICS 2026 summit to sound an alarm over what he described as an increasingly dangerous global trend: the weaponisation of critical minerals and cutting-edge technology. Speaking before leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and other partner nations, Modi called for a collective commitment to keeping these vital resources and innovations open, fair, and accessible to all.
Modi's remarks came at a time when several major economies have been imposing export controls, trade restrictions, and supply-chain dependencies centred on rare-earth minerals, semiconductors, and advanced digital infrastructure. He argued that turning access to essential minerals or breakthrough technologies into tools of political pressure only deepens divisions and undermines the very foundation of multilateral cooperation that BRICS was originally built upon.
"We must not allow the strategic resources of our planet or the fruits of scientific progress to become instruments of dominance," Modi told the gathering. "True leadership lies in partnership, not in coercion."
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who presided over the summit alongside other key global figures, was widely observed listening intently to Modi's address. Observers noted that China, which controls a dominant share of the world's rare-earth processing capacity, has increasingly leveraged its mineral exports as a strategic bargaining chip in recent years. Xi's silence during the critique drew considerable media attention, with diplomatic sources suggesting New Delhi was carefully signalling its concerns without directly naming any country.
India has been vocal in international forums about reducing dependency on single-source supplies, particularly for rare-earth elements and semiconductor components. The Indian government has been actively pursuing domestic mining reforms, partnerships with friendly nations, and investments in alternative supply chains through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and new bilateral agreements with countries in Africa and Latin America.
Analysts say Modi's intervention reflects a broader shift in India's foreign policy stance — one that seeks to position the country as a voice for the Global South while maintaining strategic autonomy. By raising the issue at a BRICS forum, New Delhi also aims to ensure that discussions on critical minerals and technology governance include the concerns of developing nations that often get sidelined in Western-dominated frameworks.
The summit continues with ongoing dialogues on trade, energy transition, and digital cooperation, with expectations that a joint declaration on responsible resource management may emerge in the coming days.
