PM Narendra ModiNEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi warned against weaponisation of technology and critical minerals that could block Brics’ progress, while emphasising inclusivity in the adoption of technology. The remarks delivered in the final session of the summit - in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping - mirrored Modi’s exhortation for Brics at the Rio summit last year to work towards secure and reliable supply chains and prevent any country from using these resources as a weapon.

China was represented by Premier Li Qiang at that summit. Modi was addressing a session on the 4 pillars of India’s Brics chairship - resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability - in which leaders of the grouping and partner countries participated.

“The weaponization of technology and critical minerals can hinder our shared progress. Therefore, we have emphasised inclusivity in the adoption of technology,” said Modi, underlining the need to make benefits from Brics cooperation adaptable and accessible to the needs of the Global South.

The New Delhi Declaration issued Saturday underscored the need to promote reliable, diversified, resilient and just supply chains of critical minerals to guarantee benefit sharing, value addition and economic diversification in resource-rich countries, while fully preserving sovereign rights over their mineral resources. The PM underlined the growing importance of Brics for the Global South in the address.

“From my personal experience, I can say that the Global South countries’ confidence in Brics has grown, because within BRICS: their voices are heard, their experiences are respected and solutions are developed not for them, but together with them,” he said, adding that that the strength of Brics lies in diversity and cooperation. “Pandemics, climate disasters, and supply-chain disruptions have shown that in today’s interconnected world, no crisis remains confined to a single region.

Therefore, within the Brics group, we have placed special emphasis on strengthening Resilience. It is equally important to identify challenges in time, be prepared for them, and take prompt action,” he said, while mentioning initiatives like the Integrated Early Warning System for prevention of infectious diseases and Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework for more reliable and resilient supply chains.

On innovation, the PM mentioned initiatives like the Brics Incubator Network to connect start-ups and incubators with one another and Brics Startup Innovation Fund to promote innovative and scalable solutions. He spoke about how the Brics Network on Digital Agriculture will create new opportunities for farmers.