Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
India on Friday signed a declaration to join a US-led strategic alliance, known as “Pax Silica”, aimed at strengthening resilient supply chains for critical minerals and artificial intelligence and countering China’s dominance in rare earths.
The declaration was signed at the ongoing India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, marking India’s formal entry into a framework designed to build a secure, resilient and innovation-driven supply chain for critical minerals and AI. The initiative seeks to enhance technological cooperation and promote secure access to key resources essential for next-generation industries.
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The move comes amid efforts by New Delhi and Washington to finalise a proposed trade deal and advance several other initiatives to strengthen bilateral ties following a period of strain in relations.
The initiative was launched in December at the Pax Silica Summit in Washington, with partner nations including Australia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
The declaration outlines a shared vision for deeper economic and technological cooperation across supply chains, from raw materials to semiconductors and AI infrastructure, alongside a commitment to mutual prosperity and security. One of the key pillars of Pax Silica is the creation of a durable economic framework to drive AI-powered growth across partner countries.
Last month, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, had announced an invitation for New Delhi to join the strategic alliance.
WHAT IS PAX SILICA
Pax Silica is a US-led strategic alliance launched to secure the global supply chain for artificial intelligence and semiconductors, marking a shift from the 20th-century reliance on oil and steel to an economy powered by silicon and critical minerals.
The term “Pax” comes from the Latin word for peace, signalling a vision of global stability through secure and trusted technology. “Silica” refers to the mineral that forms the fundamental building block of computer chips and AI systems.
The alliance, spearheaded by US Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, aims to create a “trusted” alternative to the current ecosystem dominated by China. A key objective is to reduce global dependence on China, which presently controls a large share of rare earth element (REE) processing.
Preventing supply chain disruptions, such as those witnessed in the automobile industry during geopolitical crises or due to the potential “weaponisation” of minerals, is another major focus of the alliance. Pax Silica seeks to cover the entire technology lifecycle, from mineral extraction and refining to semiconductor fabrication, software platforms, and frontier AI models.
HOW CRITICAL IT IS FOR INDIA
India is seen as a crucial node in Pax Silica due to its vast talent pool and largely untapped mineral resources. Participation could help India reduce its heavy dependence on China, which currently accounts for about 93 per cent of its rare earth imports.
The initiative could also facilitate partnerships with technology leaders such as Japan and the Netherlands in advanced mineral processing and chip manufacturing. Moreover, it aligns with India’s National Critical Mineral Mission and the India Semiconductor Mission, both aimed at strengthening domestic production and technological self-reliance.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
