Modi Cautions Against Weaponisation of Critical Minerals, Technology at BRICS Summit PM warned that weaponization of tech and critical minerals could hinder Global South progress, urging inclusive adoption. Economy / International Relations · 14 Sep 2026 · GS: GS2, GS3 · Exam yield: High WHY THIS MATTERS BRICS summit outcomes shape India's economic diplomacy and critical mineral security for green transition. For UPSC, it bridges GS2 international relations and GS3 resource economics with current affairs. IN PLAIN WORDS At the 18th BRICS Summit hosted in New Delhi in September 2026, leaders of eleven major emerging economies debated global cooperation. This grouping, called BRICS, originally a five-nation bloc, now represents about 49.5% of humanity and 40% of world GDP, so its choices shape trade and security. The summit rested on four pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. Prime Minister Modi cautioned that some powers are turning technology and critical minerals into weapons by restricting access for political gain. Critical minerals are scarce elements like lithium needed for clean energy; a processing monopoly creates risk. The New Delhi Declaration sought diversified supply chains respecting sovereign rights. India pushed digital agriculture linking farmers via geospatial technology and Digital Public Infrastructure, plus a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund. Imagine a few students owning all the lab equipment and denying others use; that mirrors weaponisation of resources. Such exclusion hurts the Global South, so India urged inclusive tech adoption. Practical steps include the Integrated Early Warning System for disease and incubator networks. BRICS thus aims to co-create solutions with developing nations rather than impose them. KEY FACTS • Modi spoke in final session on India's BRICS pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation, sustainability • Caution mirrored his Rio summit exhortation for reliable supply chains • New Delhi Declaration stressed reliable, diversified critical minerals supply chains • Remarks cut towards West's tech exclusion and China's minerals processing monopoly HOW WE GOT HERE BRICS began in 2009 as a forum of Brazil, Russia, India, China and later South Africa in 2010, focusing on reform of global financial architecture. Over time it expanded; by 2026 it included 11 emerging economies, amplifying the Global South voice. At the 2025 Rio summit, PM Modi first urged BRICS to build secure, reliable supply chains and prevent resource weaponisation. The 2026 New Delhi Summit built on that, adopting the New Delhi Declaration unanimously. Critical minerals gained prominence as the clean energy transition raised demand for lithium, cobalt and rare earths, while China consolidated processing dominance. Recent pandemics and climate disasters exposed supply-chain fragility, prompting the Integrated Early Warning System and Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework. India’s chairship thus linked resilience with innovation, cooperation and sustainability. THE BIGGER PICTURE International — BRICS and Global South Diplomacy The summit reinforced BRICS as a platform where developing countries co-design solutions, not receive imposed ones. PM Modi noted growing confidence of Global South because voices are heard (Times of India 2026). The New Delhi Declaration asserted sovereign rights over minerals, challenging Western tech-exclusion tendencies and China’s processing monopoly. People-centric tools like BRICS CONNECT for skills and women workforce embed inclusive cooperation. This shifts multilateralism from Northern dominance to equitable South-South dialogue. → BRICS elevates Global South agency in resource governance. Economic — Critical Mineral Supply Chain Resilience Critical minerals are vital for batteries and renewables, but processing is concentrated. The New Delhi Declaration called for reliable, diversified, just supply chains (Hindustan Times 2026). India’s Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework seeks to reduce shock transmission. Resource-rich countries gain sovereign right to value addition, aiding economic diversification away from raw export dependence. → Diversification of mineral processing is central to economic sovereignty. Science & Tech — Technology Weaponisation and Digital Inclusion PM Modi warned that technology access is being used for political exclusion by the West, while Artificial Intelligence and geospatial technology can empower farmers via Digital Public Infrastructure. The BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture connects these tools to real needs. Open innovation through incubator networks counters monopolistic control, ensuring the Global South adopts tech on fair terms. → Inclusive tech adoption prevents digital colonialism. Environmental — Sustainability and Agro-Ecology The sustainability pillar promoted Centres of Excellence for Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture, merging traditional knowledge with modern science. Community-based climate adaptation principles grant indigenous practices a role. A BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence targets smart grids and energy storage, advancing low-emission goals. This reflects the Indian civilisational view of development complementing environment. → Agro-ecology bridges heritage and climate action. THE BIG DEBATE Should critical minerals and core technologies be treated as open global commons or sovereign strategic assets? For: • Open access accelerates green transition and equity for Global South. • Weaponisation risks trade conflicts and slows climate action globally. Against: • Resource-rich states hold sovereign rights to restrict extraction for national interest. • Technology denial is legitimate tool for national security and IP protection. The balanced take: A balanced regime is needed: sovereign rights over resources must coexist with multilateral commitments for diversified, fair supply chains and pooled innovation, as urged in the New Delhi Declaration 2026 to protect Global South interests. ANSWER IT IN MAINS Discuss the significance of BRICS in ensuring critical mineral supply chain resilience for the Global South. (GS3) How to attack it: Introduce BRICS 2026 context; analyse dependency, New Delhi Declaration, sovereignty vs cooperation; conclude on multipolar resource order. Quote this: New Delhi Declaration 2026 calling for diversified, just critical mineral supply chains. Evaluate the concept of 'weaponisation of technology' in international relations with reference to recent examples. (GS2) How to attack it: Define tech weaponisation; link to Western exclusion and mineral monopolies; cite BRICS summit; suggest inclusive governance. Quote this: PM Modi’s warning at 18th BRICS Summit New Delhi 2026. How can digital public infrastructure promote inclusive growth in agriculture for developing nations? (GS3) How to attack it: Explain DPI; BRICS digital agriculture network; geospatial and AI use; bridge small farmer gaps; caution on access. Quote this: BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture launched under India’s 2026 chairship. PRELIMS QUICK-FIRE • [International] BRICS now has 11 members representing 49.5% global population and 40% GDP (Hindustan Times 2026). — Not limited to original 5; expansion ongoing. • [International] New Delhi Declaration 2026 stressed reliable, diversified critical minerals supply chains (Times of India 2026). — Declares sovereign rights of resource-rich states. • [Term] PM Modi outlined 4 pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation, sustainability at BRICS 2026 (The Statesman 2026). — Memorise exact pillars for Prelims. • [Body/Institution] BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for infectious diseases launched (Statesman 2026). — Not a UN body; BRICS initiative. • [Data] China holds near-monopoly in critical minerals processing, flagged at summit (Times of India 2026). — Context for weaponisation caution. • [Scheme] BRICS Startup Innovation Fund proposed by India for scalable solutions (Statesman 2026). — Under innovation pillar. WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN 1. Diversify critical mineral processing within BRICS Reduces monopoly risk and strengthens resilient supply chains. (New Delhi Declaration (2026)) 2. Scale Digital Public Infrastructure for agriculture Empowers small farmers via geospatial and AI tools. (BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture (2026)) 3. Operationalise Integrated Early Warning System Prepares bloc for pandemics and disaster shocks. (Integrated Early Warning System (2026)) 4. Connect MSMEs via cooperation portal Links small enterprises to finance and new markets. (BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal (2026)) JARGON, DEMYSTIFIED • BRICS — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa plus newer members: a bloc of 11 emerging economies for South-South cooperation. (Now 11 members, not 5.) • Critical minerals — Scarce elements like lithium and cobalt essential for clean energy and electronics, whose supply concentration creates strategic risk. (Linked to green transition.) • Global South — Developing countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America often sharing colonial history and seeking equitable global order. (Not a strict geographical term.) • Digital Public Infrastructure — Open, interoperable digital systems like identity or payments that governments provide as public goods for inclusion. (India’s DPI model cited globally.) • Geospatial technology — Tools using satellite positioning and mapping to analyse Earth data, aiding agriculture, disaster planning and logistics. (Used in BRICS digital agriculture.) • Integrated Early Warning System — BRICS mechanism to forecast infectious disease outbreaks and disasters via shared data for timely response. (Launched under 2026 India chairship.) • Artificial Intelligence — Computer systems performing tasks like pattern recognition that normally need human intelligence, used in farming and alerts. (Mentioned in BRICS digital agriculture.) REVISE IN 30 SECONDS • BRICS 2026 New Delhi summit pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation, sustainability. • PM warned against weaponisation of tech and critical minerals. • New Delhi Declaration backs sovereign mineral rights and diversified supply. • Initiatives: early warning system, startup fund, digital agriculture network. • Global South confidence in BRICS grows via inclusive co-creation. STUDY NEXT Static links: International Relations - Regional Groupings, Economic Geography - Resources Essay angle: Technology and resources as weapons: inclusive multilateralism for Global South Interview probe: How should India balance critical mineral sovereignty with BRICS cooperation? SOURCES • Brics day 2: PM flags critical minerals, tech weaponisation amid global tensions | India News - The Times of India — https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/brics-day-2-pm-flags-critical-minerals-tech-weaponisation-amid-global-tensions/articleshow/134220477.cms Source: Modi Cautions Against Weaponisation of Critical Minerals, Technology at BRICS Summit — https://upsc.cortexdesk.in/current-affairs/kd72advjbwkr1x63pq8g7r4a7h8edpcp
