India joins Pax Silica to bolster AI and chip supply chains
India joins Pax Silica to bolster AI and chip supply chains
India formally joins the US-led Pax Silica coalition to secure AI and chip supply chains as it advances trade talks with Washington.
In Washington, India on Friday signed an agreement to join Pax Silica, a US-led coalition aimed at building a resilient, innovation-driven supply chain for critical minerals and artificial intelligence. The signing ceremony was attended by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the U.S. Envoy to India among others. The move signals a fresh phase in the bilateral relationship as New Delhi and Washington push to finalise a proposed trade deal and advance several other cooperative initiatives.
Launched in December last year, Pax Silica seeks to create a secure supply chain ecosystem spanning from raw materials to semiconductors and AI infrastructure, with the aim of fostering mutual prosperity and security among partner nations. Members to date include Australia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
A key pillar of the coalition is to establish a durable economic order that drives AI-powered prosperity across partner nations. While officials describe Pax Silica as a platform for capabilities rather than a simple alliance, observers have questioned whether the invitation represents a strategic breakthrough for India or a high-tech trapdoor.
The development occurs as New Delhi seeks to strengthen U.S.-India ties amid broader global competition in advanced technologies and as talks on a broader trade agreement progress. The move underscores growing convergence on critical minerals, semiconductors and AI, signaling India’s intent to be a central player in the next era of tech-enabled globalization.
For India, joining Pax Silica could help diversify supply chains, attract investment in high-tech manufacturing, and deepen collaboration on policy and standards for emerging tech. For the United States, it adds a like-minded partner in a pact aimed at reducing dependency on uncertain supply routes and accelerating AI-enabled economic growth.
