Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned against the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals during the closing remarks of the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 13, 2026. The remarks, made in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, were part of a broader address on resilience, innovation, and cooperation. Modi emphasized the need for inclusivity in the adoption of technology, stating that such weaponisation could hinder shared progress among BRICS nations. The warning comes amid global concerns over China's dominance in critical mineral supply chains, which control over 90 percent of global rare-earth refining, according to the Times of India.

Modi highlighted the importance of BRICS cooperation in addressing global challenges such as pandemics, climate disasters, and supply-chain disruptions. He announced several initiatives, including the BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for infectious diseases and the BRICS Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework. The summit, hosted by India under the theme of 'Building for resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability,' also saw the launch of the BRICS Startup Innovation Fund and the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture, which aims to connect AI and geospatial technology with the needs of farmers.

The remarks were interpreted by some as a subtle message to China, which has tightened export controls on rare earths and other critical materials during trade negotiations with the United States. However, Modi did not explicitly name any country in his address. The Hindu National reports that Modi stressed the importance of BRICS moving beyond mere commitments to deliver concrete results, as the grouping enters its third decade. He also noted the growing trust of Global South nations in BRICS due to their voices being heard and solutions being developed collaboratively.

The Times of India mentions that Modi's remarks were made in the presence of Xi Jinping, but no clarification on whether the warning was directed at China or other nations was offered. The Hindustan Times notes that the remarks assumed significance amid concerns over China's restrictive policies on critical minerals and its reluctance to share high-technology. However, the exact intent of Modi's warning remains unclear, with no official clarification provided.

The summit concluded with a focus on strengthening supply chains, promoting innovation, and enhancing resilience against global crises. Modi reiterated the importance of inclusive growth and the need for BRICS to serve the interests of all nations, not just its members. The BRICS Urban Mobility Hub and the BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal were also highlighted as part of India's strategy to foster cooperation and shared progress. Despite these initiatives, the question of whether the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals poses a real threat remains unresolved, with no further details provided in the available sources.