PM flags threat of weaponising tech
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday cautioned BRICS countries against the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals, saying it could hinder shared growth and called for greater inclusivity in the adoption of new technologies.
Addressing the open session on the second day of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, PM Modi said rising geopolitical tensions, pandemics, climate-related disasters and disruptions to supply chains had demonstrated the need for greater resilience among member countries.
“The weaponisation of technology and critical minerals can create hurdles for common growth. Therefore, we have emphasised inclusivity in the adoption of technology,” the PM said.
The PM said BRICS had placed particular emphasis on resilience in response to challenges that increasingly cross national boundaries. “Pandemics, climate disasters, and supply chain disruptions have shown that in today’s interconnected world, no crisis remains confined to a single region,” he said.
PM Modi said the grouping had reached a consensus on an integrated early-warning system for the prevention of and response to infectious diseases. Guidelines for integrating early-warning data for disaster management had also been formulated, he said.
On supply chains, the PM highlighted the BRICS Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework, saying it would help make supply networks “more reliable and resilient”.
PM Modi also outlined initiatives under the innovation pillar of India’s BRICS presidency. He said the BRICS Incubator Network would connect startups and incubators across member countries, while India had proposed a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund to promote innovative and scalable solutions.
The PM also highlighted the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture, under which artificial intelligence, geospatial technology and digital public infrastructure would be aligned with the needs of farmers. The warning on critical minerals comes against the backdrop of growing international focus on securing supplies of minerals essential for energy, manufacturing and advanced technologies. The New Delhi Declaration adopted by BRICS leaders has called for reliable, responsible, diversified, resilient, fair and sustainable critical-mineral supply chains, while reaffirming the sovereign rights of resource-rich countries over their mineral resources.
