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India’s absence from the U.S.-led Pax Silica Initiative has triggered political debate domestically. The issue gained attention after remarks by opposition leaders questioning India’s exclusion from the grouping, which is aimed at securing high-technology supply chains.

What is the Pax Silica Initiative?

• Pax Silica is a United States–led strategic framework designed to build a secure, resilient, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.
• The term combines “pax” (Latin for peace and stability) with “silica,” the raw material refined into silicon, which is foundational for semiconductors and AI hardware.
• The initiative focuses on strengthening cooperation among trusted partners across the entire technology value chain  fromcritical minerals and energy inputs to chip manufacturing, AI infrastructure, and logistics networks.
• Its broader objective is to reduce coercive dependencies, particularly in sensitive technology sectors, and to ensure that partner nations can develop and deploy advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence at scale.

Member Countries

• The current participants in Pax Silica include:United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Israel, United Arab Emirates and Australia
• Notably, India is not currently part of the initiative, even though several member countries are key Indo-Pacific technology and security partners.

Areas of Cooperation

Member nations have affirmed cooperation in multiple strategic sectors:

• Securing critical minerals required for semiconductor production
• Semiconductor design, fabrication, and advanced packaging
• Strengthening logistics and transportation networks for tech supply chains
• Expanding compute capacity and AI infrastructure
• Ensuring reliable energy grids and power generation for digital ecosystems
• Developing trusted ICT networks, data centres, fibre-optic connectivity, and AI models
• Encouraging joint ventures and co-investment in emerging technology sectors
• Protecting sensitive technologies and infrastructure from access by countries considered strategic risks

Strategic Significance

Pax Silica reflects the growing geopolitical importance of semiconductor and AI supply chains, which are now seen as central to economic security and national power. The initiative is part of a broader trend where technology alliances are being shaped to reduce overdependence on any single country in high-tech manufacturing.

The grouping also complements other emerging frameworks that aim to create trusted technology ecosystems among like-minded nations.