In an important step, India on Friday, February 20, 2026 formally joined the US-led strategic alliance Pax Silica. The decision was taken during the ongoing India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg and US Ambassador Sergio Gore signed the Pax Silica Declaration.
What is Pax Silica?
Pax Silica is a major initiative of the US State Department, which was launched in December 2025. Its main objective is to make Artificial Intelligence i.e. AI, Semiconductor, Critical Minerals (like Lithium, Cobalt etc.) and related supply chains safe, resilient and innovation-oriented. The alliance focuses on reducing “forced interdependence” and promoting deeper economic-technological cooperation between trusted partner countries. Apart from America, the major countries involved include Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Israel, United Kingdom, Greece, Qatar, United Arab Emirates etc.
The initiative covers the entire “silicon stack” – from mineral extraction to energy, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI infrastructure and logistics. In the words of US Under Secretary of Defense Jacob Helberg, “Pax Silica is really about strengthening America’s supply chains, not against any one country.” He described it as the alliance that will define the economic and technological order of the 21st century.
What is the significance for New Delhi?
India’s joining the alliance takes the strategic partnership with the US to new heights, especially at a time when recent trade agreements between the two countries have strengthened ties. Despite some tariff disputes earlier, the move signals a positive reset in bilateral relations.
Major benefits that India will get from this
- Cooperation in safe supply and processing of critical minerals.
- Deeper involvement in semiconductor manufacturing and AI infrastructure.
- A shared framework in AI model development, foundation models, and compute capacity.
- Enhance technological self-reliance and gain a stronger position in the global AI-based economy.
- Promote investment, innovation and economic security with “trusted partners”.
The move provides global recognition of India’s emerging AI capabilities, vast engineering talent and semiconductor ambitions. US Ambassador Sergio Gore said India’s inclusion is an important part of the alliance that will define the economic and technological order of the 21st century.
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