Xi Jinping’s Trade Message at BRICS Summit in India: Modi Warns Against ‘Weaponisation’ of Technology
At the BRICS summit in India, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a message on trade deals, emphasizing cooperation amid a complex backdrop of thawing relations between New Delhi and Beijing. The meeting follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China last year for the SCO summit, signaling a potential reset in ties. However, longstanding border disputes and a significant trade imbalance remain sticking points. According to Chietigj Bajpaee, senior research fellow for South Asia at Chatham House, a meeting in August between the Chinese foreign minister and Indian national security advisor made notable progress on their border dispute. Yet, distrust persists: Beijing reportedly denied Indian Army access to key patrolling points and encroached on land in Arunachal Pradesh in August, underscoring the fragility of the détente.nnModi, speaking at the same summit, issued a stark warning against the “weaponisation” of technology and critical minerals. His message, delivered in Xi’s presence, carried particular weight given China’s dominant position in global rare-earth supply chains. Modi cautioned that such weaponisation could undermine economic growth and shared development, stressing that inclusivity must be at the heart of global progress. “The weaponisation of technology and critical minerals can hinder our shared progress,” he stated, as the bloc weighed supply-chain resilience. The proposals came against a backdrop of growing competition over technology, manufacturing capacity, and critical minerals.nnCarnegie India’s Sahai emphasized the importance of managing expectations, noting that while diplomatic gestures are positive, substantive breakthroughs remain elusive. Meanwhile, China is wary of technology transfers to India, fearing they could undermine Beijing’s role in key global supply chains. This cautious stance reflects broader tensions: despite the thaw, structural challenges persist. The summit thus highlighted both the potential for cooperation and the deep-seated mistrust that continues to shape India-China relations.nnIn essence, Xi’s trade message and Modi’s warning underscore a delicate balance. While both leaders seek to project unity, the reality is that border disputes, trade imbalances, and technological rivalry remain formidable obstacles. The BRICS summit served as a platform for dialogue, but as Sahai suggests, observers should temper optimism. The path to genuine reconciliation requires not just meetings, but concrete actions to address
Shimanta Das 
