Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for BRICS nations to ensure that the supply chains of critical minerals remain secure, reliable, and free from geopolitical coercion, warning against the "weaponisation" of these strategic resources. Speaking at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Modi urged the alliance to work together to de-risk supply chains and foster greater technological cooperation.
Modi's statement comes amid rising global concerns over China's dominance in the rare earth metals market, which controls over 90% of the world's processing capacity. China's recent export controls on rare earth metals have been viewed by many as a geopolitical tool to exert economic pressure. These metals are critical components for clean energy, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics.
The Prime Minister's call for collaboration within the BRICS nations, which include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is a veiled nudge to China, urging the nation to avoid using its dominance in the sector for its own selfish gain or as a weapon against others. He stressed the importance of ensuring that no single country is able to dominate and weaponize these resources.
In addition to securing critical mineral supply chains, Modi also pressed for reforms to global governance institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, IMF, World Bank, and WTO. He asserted that these institutions need to reflect 21st-century realities and give a stronger voice to developing nations. Modi stated that to ensure that BRICS has credibility when it calls for reforming multilateral institutions, it should improve its systems. He also highlighted the need for demand-driven, financially sound project financing by the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), taking a swipe at practices that fund unsustainable projects and create debt burdens on recipient countries.
India has been actively seeking alternatives to reduce its dependency on Chinese mineral supply lines, viewing Beijing's control as both a strategic vulnerability and a catalyst for economic realignment among like-minded nations. In April 2025, India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) to establish a framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. The Ministry of Mines has identified 30 critical minerals essential for national development, with China being a major source for several of them, including graphite, silicon, cobalt, and germanium.
Modi also addressed the issue of artificial intelligence, calling for the creation of global governance frameworks that balance innovation with ethical safeguards. He reaffirmed India's commitment to 'AI for All' and its use of AI in agriculture, healthcare, and education.
The Prime Minister also highlighted India's commitment to the Global South, stating that BRICS must lead by example to fulfill the developmental expectations of emerging economies. He cited the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform, headquartered in India, as a successful model for knowledge sharing in agri-biotech, climate adaptation, and precision farming and proposed the creation of a BRICS Science and Research Repository to enhance knowledge-sharing and innovation across the Global South.
