India signs Pax Silica declaration: All about the US-led AI and chip initiative and what it means for New Delhi

The Pax Silica declaration was signed at the ongoing India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on Friday.

• India joins US-led Pax Silica for resilient tech supply chains
• Pax Silica aims to secure AI and semiconductor supply chains
• India's entry seen as key for tech and economic cooperation

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India on Friday signed a declaration to join a US-led strategic alliance, known as “Pax Silica”. It is aimed at strengthening resilient supply chains for critical minerals and artificial intelligence.

The declaration was signed at the ongoing India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. "As we sign the Pax Silica declaration, we say no to weaponised dependency,” said US Under Secretary for State Jacob Helberg.

Speaking at the summit, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described India’s entry as a pivotal moment in the evolving global technology order.

Sergio Gor last month announced an invitation to New Delhi to join the alliance.

The partnership comes shortly after India participated at the Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier in February, represented by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

What is Pax Silica?

Pax Silica was launched in December 2025. It is a strategic initiative designed to safeguard the global AI and semiconductor supply chain while reducing dependence on non-aligned countries.

Anchored by the United States, Japan and South Korea, it brings together a network of trusted partners to strengthen technology and economic security.

Australia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom are already part of it.

The initiative seeks to create a secure, resilient and innovation-driven supply chain spanning critical minerals, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

At the Pax Silica Summit held in Washington on December 12, partner countries signed the Pax Silica Declaration, outlining a shared vision for deeper economic and technological cooperation — covering the entire value chain from raw materials and semiconductors to AI systems — along with a commitment to mutual prosperity and collective security.

Pax Silica's core is the creation of a durable economic framework aimed at driving AI-powered growth and long-term prosperity across member nations.

Significance of Pax Silica for New Delhi

India’s inclusion is being viewed as a significant step toward deepening cooperation in emerging technology sectors, particularly AI and semiconductors.

India is expected to bring its large talent pool, semiconductor ambitions and strategic location into the alliance. This gives New Delhi an opportunity to shape the future economic and technology architecture.

The US Department of State earlier said the initiative will prioritise safeguarding sensitive technologies and critical infrastructure from undue access or control by “countries of concern”.

India has previously voiced concerns about China’s involvement in segments of its critical infrastructure — notably in telecom networks — a factor that adds strategic weight to its participation in the initiative.

The move is expected to provide fresh momentum to India’s semiconductor mission and strengthen its position in the global AI race — an arena where it entered later than some major competitors but is now seeking to accelerate through strategic partnerships and supply-chain integration.