India Joins Pax Silica Initiative to Strengthen AI and Critical Mineral Supply Chains

India has signed the Pax Silica Declaration, formally joining a United States-led strategic initiative focused on securing supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and critical minerals. The agreement was signed during the India AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi, marking a major milestone in deepening technological cooperation between the United States and India. The initiative aims to build a trusted ecosystem covering the entire value chain, from extraction and processing of minerals to chip manufacturing and deployment of advanced AI technologies, ensuring long-term economic and technological resilience.

The declaration was signed in the presence of senior officials, including India’s Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jacob Helberg, reflecting the growing strategic alignment between the two countries in emerging technologies. The partnership is being viewed as a forward-looking framework that goes beyond traditional trade cooperation and focuses on shaping the future technological order.

India joined the US-led strategic alliance Pax Silica. (Photo: PIB/YouTube) | Business Standard

Building Resilient Supply Chains for the Future

The Pax Silica initiative is designed to reduce vulnerabilities in global technology supply chains, particularly the heavy concentration of critical mineral production and semiconductor manufacturing in limited geographic regions. Recent geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions have highlighted the risks associated with dependence on a single country for essential materials such as rare earth elements and silicon-based components. By creating a network of trusted partners, the initiative seeks to ensure secure access to resources, promote innovation, and prevent future disruptions that could impact global industries.

For India, participation in Pax Silica aligns with its broader ambitions to become a global manufacturing and technology hub. The country has already launched major programs to promote domestic semiconductor production and strengthen mineral exploration. Joining this coalition is expected to accelerate investment, technology transfer, and research collaboration, helping India move up the global value chain in advanced manufacturing and AI development.

Opportunities for India’s Semiconductor and AI Ecosystem

India’s inclusion in the initiative is considered strategically important due to its large pool of engineering talent, expanding digital infrastructure, and growing electronics manufacturing ecosystem. Several semiconductor fabrication and assembly projects are already underway, supported by government incentives and partnerships with international companies. Access to a secure supply of critical minerals could further boost these efforts, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening national technological sovereignty.

The initiative also has broader geopolitical implications. As nations compete for leadership in AI and next-generation technologies, collaborations like Pax Silica are increasingly seen as alliances for economic security. India’s participation enhances its position as a key partner for advanced economies seeking diversified supply chains, while also strengthening bilateral ties with the United States across trade, defence, and innovation sectors.

Multilateral Collaboration and Global Impact

Beyond bilateral cooperation, Pax Silica is expected to connect India with other technologically advanced nations participating in the coalition, including countries in Europe and Asia. This multilateral dimension could open new pathways for joint research, academic partnerships, and industrial investments. It also supports global efforts to establish trusted and ethical AI systems by promoting cooperation among like-minded countries.

India’s growing role in global technology governance is becoming increasingly visible, and initiatives such as Pax Silica demonstrate how the country is positioning itself at the center of future industrial transformation. By participating in such alliances, India is not only strengthening its domestic capabilities but also contributing to a more balanced and resilient global technology ecosystem.

The MGMM Outlook

India’s decision to join the Pax Silica Initiative signals a major step toward securing long-term technological resilience by integrating into trusted global supply chains for semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals. Signed during the summit in New Delhi in the presence of Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jacob Helberg, the agreement reflects deeper strategic convergence between India and the United States in emerging technologies. At a time when geopolitical tensions have exposed vulnerabilities created by concentrated production of rare earth elements and semiconductor components, participation in such a coalition strengthens India’s ability to diversify sourcing, attract advanced manufacturing investments, and build domestic capacity across the entire technology value chain.

The partnership also enhances India’s ambition to evolve into a global technology and manufacturing hub by combining its engineering talent base, expanding digital infrastructure, and policy incentives with international collaboration. Access to secure mineral supplies and deeper research cooperation can accelerate semiconductor fabrication projects and AI innovation, reducing dependence on imports while strengthening economic security. Integration with like-minded nations across Europe and Asia further positions India as a central player in shaping future technology governance and resilient industrial ecosystems, reinforcing its role as a reliable partner in next-generation global supply networks.

(Sources: India Today, Business Standard, Hindustan Times)