India joins hands with America’s ‘Pax Silica’ alliance… New Delhi’s big leap in AI, semiconductor and critical minerals

New Delhi: On 20 February 2026, India took a historic step and formally joined the US-led Pax Silica alliance. The decision came during the ongoing India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where Union Electronics and IT 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?

This is a major initiative of the US State Department, which started in December 2025. Its goal is to make AI, semiconductors, critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, rare earths etc.) and their entire supply chains safe, robust and innovation-based. The alliance focuses on eliminating “arms interdependence” and enhancing deeper economic-technical cooperation between trusted partners.

Major countries included in it: America, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Israel, Britain, Greece, Qatar, UAE etc. Now India’s entry makes it stronger.

US Under Secretary of Defense Jacob Helberg said, “Pax Silica is not about targeting any one country, but about strengthening the supply chains of the United States and its partners. This is the alliance that will shape the economic and technological order of the 21st century.”

Why so important for India?

– Secure Supply of Critical Minerals: Dependence on China will reduce, there will be support in processing and refining.
– Big boost in semiconductors and AI: India’s semiconductor ambitions (e.g. fab plants) will accelerate, partnerships in AI infrastructure and compute capacity will increase.
– Foundation Models and AI Development: Model training, data and technology sharing with trusted partners.
– Self-reliance and global status: India’s vast talent pool, engineering capability and emerging AI power will get global recognition.
– Strategic Reset: Positive change in India-US relations after recent tariff disputes, new momentum to trade and tech deals.

US Ambassador Sergio Gore said India’s inclusion was an “important part of the alliance that will define the economic and technological order of the 21st century”.