Modi cautions against weaponising critical minerals at BRICS summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned the international community against turning critical minerals into geopolitical tools at the BRICS Summit 2026, signalling India's concerns over resource security in an increasingly fragmented global order.

Modi's remarks come as BRICS nations seek to strengthen collective mechanisms for managing transnational challenges. The bloc achieved a significant consensus on establishing a BRICS Integrated Early Warning System designed to prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks, addressing vulnerabilities exposed by recent global health crises.

The development underscores BRICS' broader agenda to enhance cooperation among member nations on strategic issues ranging from resource management to pandemic preparedness. India's emphasis on preventing the weaponisation of critical minerals reflects growing apprehension across developing economies over supply chain vulnerabilities and the use of resource dependencies as leverage in international relations.

The early warning system is expected to facilitate rapid information sharing and coordinated responses to disease threats across BRICS nations, strengthening health security in a region home to nearly 3.5 billion people. The initiatives discussed at the summit reflect the bloc's commitment to addressing shared vulnerabilities while asserting greater autonomy in global economic governance.