India has officially become a member of Pax Silica, a large-scale international initiative led by the United States aimed at securing supply chains for critical technologies. The agreement was signed in Delhi during the AI Impact Summit, marking a pivotal moment in India’s technology ambitions. India is now the 12th country in the alliance, which already includes the US, UK, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Australia, and several other nations.
What is Pax Silica?
Pax Silica is a comprehensive strategy that covers the entire vertical of modern technology: from the extraction of critical minerals to manufacturing, such as building chip fabrication plants, and infrastructure, including the development of data centers and AI. The initiative, launched in December 2025, aims to create a secure and resilient global supply chain, reducing dependence on any single country, particularly China.
From Outsider to Key Player
India’s accession to the project is a landmark event. As recently as December 2025, when Pax Silica was first announced, the country was not included among the founding members due to its then-limited chip manufacturing capabilities. The situation has changed dramatically. India’s IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, stated that several semiconductor plants are already under construction in the country. The government is backing this push with ambitious programs like the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0. Furthermore, India plans to train approximately one million specialists for the industry to build a sustainable talent pipeline.
Geopolitical Significance: Counterbalancing China
This move is deeply rooted in the current geopolitical landscape. Pax Silica is widely seen as a strategic effort by the US and its allies to counter China’s dominance in the tech supply chain. By bringing India into the fold, the alliance not only gains a partner with immense demographic and economic potential but also significantly diversifies its manufacturing base away from East Asia, a region facing geopolitical tensions. US envoy Sergio Gor called India’s entry “strategic and essential,” highlighting the coalition’s role in shaping the 21st-century technological order.
A Look into the Future
By joining Pax Silica, India gains access to critical technology, capital, and secure markets, which will accelerate its ambition to become a global semiconductor hub. This partnership is expected to attract further foreign investment and foster the development of a complete ecosystem, from chip design to assembly. For the world, India’s rise as a reliable partner in the tech supply chain could lead to more stable and resilient access to the critical components that power the global economy.
