India joins US-led Pax Silica to lock in AI and chip alliance

India is set to formally join the US-led Pax Silica initiative on February 20, marking a significant strategic realignment in global technology supply chains and cementing New Delhi’s role in the evolving AI and semiconductor order.

The declaration is expected to be signed on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit, nearly a month after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor announced that New Delhi would be invited to join the initiative.

US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg is currently in New Delhi for the summit.

A strategic counterweight to Beijing

According to the US State Department, Pax Silica aims to bring together “friendly and trusted” countries to ensure key technologies remain safe, reliable and free from hostile control. Launched on December 12, 2025, the initiative is widely seen as a strategic counter to China’s dominance over global manufacturing and technology supply chains.

The framework seeks to “reduce coercive dependencies” and build a secure, innovation-driven silicon ecosystem — spanning critical minerals, energy inputs, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI infrastructure and logistics.

At its launch, Washington had named partners such as Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Israel, United Arab Emirates and Australia — but notably left out India, surprising many in New Delhi.

The omission had triggered concerns that trade uncertainties were spilling into broader strategic differences.

Reset in relations, deeper tech convergence

Since Gor’s arrival in India, tensions have visibly eased. Both sides have agreed on the framework of a broader Indo-US trade deal, signalling a recalibration in ties.

India’s inclusion in Pax Silica now marks a decisive step toward embedding the partnership in next-generation technologies — particularly artificial intelligence and semiconductors.

The initiative also seeks to protect sensitive technologies and critical infrastructure from undue access by countries of concern, while building trusted ecosystems across ICT systems, fibre-optic cables, data centres, foundational AI models and applications. New Delhi has long expressed unease over China-linked participation in sectors such as telecom and critical digital infrastructure.

Big tech presence signals confidence

India’s entry comes alongside significant investment commitments by American companies in domestic AI infrastructure. Officials view the move as a catalyst for accelerating India’s semiconductor mission and closing the gap in the global AI race.

The presence of top US technology leaders at the summit — including Sundar Pichai and Sam Altman — underscores Washington’s growing confidence in India as a strategic hub in the global AI and chip landscape.

With Pax Silica, India moves from the margins of a US-led tech coalition to its inner circle — a shift that could redefine the architecture of trusted supply chains in the decade ahead.