# Modi warns BRICS against mineral export curbs in New Delhi *The warning at the 18th summit challenges Beijing's supply dominance as expanded BRICS members account for 40% of global GDP and China refines 90% of rare earths.* **Published:** September 13, 2026 **By:** Mina Okoro **Section:** Energy & Critical Minerals — Cross-border **Format:** Policy Tracker **Confidence:** medium **Source:** https://eastasiabrief.com/energy-minerals/modi-warns-brics-against-mineral-export-curbs-new-delhi-263 **Publisher:** East Asia Brief (https://eastasiabrief.com/) --- ## What to know - Modi cautions BRICS on Sept. 13, 2026 against weaponizing critical minerals and technology - China refines roughly 90% of global rare earths while supplying 93% of India's magnet imports - China assumes rotating BRICS presidency for 2027 without set logistics enforcement deadlines ![Raw mineral ores, microchips, and gears sit on a table before robotic assembly lines and factory technicians. (AI-generated image)](https://eastasiabrief.com/media/2026-09-13-5eace9c77833.webp) *Raw mineral ores, microchips, and gears sit on a table before robotic assembly lines and factory technicians. (AI-generated image)* Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned fellow BRICS leaders on Sept. 13, 2026, that the weaponization of critical minerals and advanced technology threatens to derail shared economic growth. The warning came during the second working session of the 18th BRICS summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Modi addressed an expanded intergovernmental bloc that represents roughly 49.5% of the world population. The 11-member grouping generates about 40% of global gross domestic product and conducts more than 25% of world commerce. Member nations control pivotal shares of both raw reserves and refined processing facilities. "The weaponisation of technology and critical minerals can hinder our shared progress," Modi said. He argued that technological adoption requires open access and non-discriminatory distribution across emerging economies. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the plenary session alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto also joined the discussions on economic resilience and innovation. Modi did not single out any government by name during the address. The critique nonetheless pointed directly toward Beijing, which dominates the mining and separation of critical energy transition materials. China controls approximately 70% of global rare earth extraction and refines roughly 90% of global rare earth elements. Chinese plants also manufacture more than 90% of the world's rare earth permanent magnets. Pandemics and geopolitical friction have demonstrated that supply disruptions do not remain localized, Modi said. Modern clean energy transitions require uninterrupted international access to lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements. Export restrictions enacted by China over the past two years have heightened procurement anxiety across South Asia. Indian automotive component suppliers such as Sona Comstar previously experienced shipment delays for magnet assemblies. India remains heavily dependent on Chinese processing infrastructure despite holding domestic mineral reserves. In fiscal 2024-2025, Indian manufacturers imported roughly 54,000 metric tons of rare earth permanent magnets, sourcing 93% from China. China also accounted for more than 30% of total Indian rare earth element imports by volume in fiscal 2025-2026. Trade data shows India relies on China for over 80% of its imported lithium compounds. An assessment by India's Ministry of Mines identified 30 critical minerals essential for economic security. The report showed direct import reliance on China exceeding 80% for lithium and 75% for processed industrial silicon. India possesses substantial raw reserves, with the Geological Survey of India recording 482.6 million metric tons of rare earth ore resources. The country nonetheless lacks commercial chemical refining plants to separate heavy oxides. India has accelerated state-backed procurement initiatives to insulate domestic electric vehicle makers and defense contractors. State venture Khanij Bidesh India Ltd., known as KABIL, is spearheading overseas exploration and direct equity acquisitions. KABIL represents a joint venture uniting National Aluminium Company, Hindustan Copper and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Ltd. The entity aims to secure 50 overseas mineral assets across South America and Africa by 2031. The Union Cabinet approved the National Critical Mineral Mission to finance domestic extraction and recycling facilities. India also concluded a critical minerals supply framework with the United States on May 26, 2026. New Delhi has sought external balance by joining Western mineral partnerships. India signed the Pax Silica initiative on Feb. 20, 2026, following ministerial discussions on securing critical technology hardware and raw materials. Diplomats at the New Delhi summit negotiated common language to address supply vulnerabilities. Leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration on Sept. 12, 2026, following consensus among all 11 participating governments. Paragraph 67 of the declaration affirmed the need to foster reliable, diversified and resilient mineral supply chains. The text stressed that resource-rich nations retain sovereign rights over raw deposits within their borders. Modi also announced multilateral agreements on Sept. 13, 2026, to establish a BRICS logistics supply chain cooperation framework. The initiative includes an integrated early warning system designed to detect supply bottlenecks. The declaration does not state an operational start date, enforcement mechanisms or mandatory quotas for the logistics framework. The document leaves implementation procedures to subsequent ministerial working group meetings. China assumes the rotating annual presidency of the BRICS grouping for 2027. Beijing will oversee the working groups tasked with translating the New Delhi mineral commitments into functional trade mechanisms. ## Impact map | Event | Korea | China | Japan | Global impact | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | BRICS mineral weaponization pushback | Korean battery producers benefit from alternative non-China mineral corridors promoted by India | China Northern Rare Earth faces diplomatic scrutiny inside BRICS over export quotas | Japanese magnet makers see expanded Indian sourcing under bilateral diversification pacts | Clean energy manufacturers face supply friction as critical mineral diplomacy divides into competing trade blocs | ## In this story - **Companies:** Khanij Bidesh India Ltd, Sona BLW Precision Forgings - **Tickers:** 543300.BO - **Exposed:** China Northern Rare Earth Group, GAIL India - **Policy:** Export Controls, Economic Security - **Impact:** Supply Chain, Compliance, Pricing ## Primary sources 1. yna.co.kr 2. thewire.in 3. indiatimes.com 4. tokenpost.kr 5. indianexpress.com --- Cite as: East Asia Brief, "Modi warns BRICS against mineral export curbs in New Delhi," September 13, 2026. https://eastasiabrief.com/energy-minerals/modi-warns-brics-against-mineral-export-curbs-new-delhi-263