India joins US-led Pax Silica alliance to strengthen critical minerals and AI supply chains

India on Friday formally joined the US-led strategic alliance Pax Silica , a multilateral initiative aimed at building a secure and resilient supply chain for critical minerals and artificial intelligence (AI) , marking a significant step in strengthening economic and technology cooperation with key global partners.

The agreement was signed at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and US envoy to India Sergio Gor . US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg described Pax Silica as a “coalition of capabilities” and said it symbolised how democratic nations could jointly shape the future of global technology and industry.

Launched in December last year in Washington , the Pax Silica initiative seeks to establish a durable economic framework for cooperation across the entire AI value chain from raw materials and critical minerals to semiconductors and advanced digital infrastructure . Its current members include Australia, Japan, Israel, South Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Greece and Qatar.

India’s decision to join the alliance comes as New Delhi and Washington work toward finalising a proposed trade agreement and strengthening bilateral ties after a period of diplomatic strain. Officials said India’s participation reflects its expanding role as a manufacturing hub and trusted technology partner in global supply networks.

Experts believe India stands to gain several strategic advantages from the alliance. Membership is expected to improve access to critical minerals such as lithium and rare earth elements , essential for electronics, renewable energy systems and defence manufacturing. It also enhances India’s position in the global semiconductor ecosystem and promotes cooperation in developing secure and trustworthy AI systems .

The Pax Silica declaration underlines that reliable supply chains are vital for economic security and that artificial intelligence represents a transformative force for long-term prosperity . It further stresses the importance of shared standards and safeguards to ensure that emerging technologies support mutual growth and stability .