India Joins US-Led 'Pax Silica' to Counter China in Minerals, AI

Vaishnaw Hails Boost for Semiconductors

At the AI Impact Summit, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw signed a formal document, in which he included India among U.S. Undersecretary of State for economic growth, energy, and the environment Jacob Helberg.
"India has become a part of the Pax Silica. This will greatly benefit India's electronics and semiconductor industry. Ten plants are already established in India and are in the process of being established, and very soon, the first semiconductor plant will begin commercial production. A complete ecosystem is emerging in India. Pax Silica will be crucial for this, and the youth of India will benefit from it," Vaishnav said.

US Ambassador Calls India 'Essential' Partner

Portraying the initiative as a strategic alliance between India and the United States to influence the 21st-century economic and technological order, US Ambassador Sergio Gor referred to the participation of India as “strategic and essential”, highlighting the technical, mineral processing and engineering capabilities of the country, as well as the role India’s cooperation in strengthening US–India technology partnerships will play. 

Late Entry, Big Strategic Impact

Pax Silica’s other signatory countries include Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the European Union. They have sought to make their supply chains resilient to shocks from China that for a year have exercised the leverage they enjoyed as sole supplier of refined rare earth components, to take a lead during trade negotiations with the United States.
For reasons undisclosed, India was not a signatory at the first summit. Still, the United States, the hosting party of the group, has stated for weeks that it is open to India joining. 

Focus on Innovation from Mine to AI

The initiative aims to boost technological collaboration and secure access to critical resources in next-gen industries. The Declaration sets forth a common vision for greater economic and technological cooperation along supply chains — from raw materials, to semiconductors, to AI infrastructure — as well as a commitment to mutual prosperity, and security.
The creation of a durable economic infrastructure to grow GDP from AI in partner countries has been one of the pillars of Pax Silica.