Why in News?
The United States’ newly appointed Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, stated that India will be invited to join “Pax Silica,” a US-led coalition aimed at securing and strengthening the critical minerals supply chain.
What is Pax Silica?
- What it is: A US-led coalition created to build a secure, resilient, and innovation-focused silicon and Artificial Intelligence (AI) supply chain by working closely with trusted global partners.
- First summit: The first Pax Silica Summit took place in Washington, D.C., in December 2025.
- Main objective:
- Reduce risky dependence on any single country.
- Protect materials that are critical for AI development.
- Help like-minded countries develop and use advanced technologies on a large scale.
- Why it matters:
- China currently dominates the supply of key minerals needed for silicon and AI, refining over 60% of lithium, cobalt, and rare earths.
- Efforts to diversify supply chains have increased after China restricted rare earth magnet exports, which disrupted global supply chains.
- Participating countries:
Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Israel, United Arab Emirates, and Australia. - Key companies in partner countries:
Sony, Hitachi, Fujitsu, Samsung, SK Hynix, Temasek, DeepMind, MGX, Rio Tinto, and ASML — all major players supporting the global AI supply chain. - Core commitments:
- Work together on projects to reduce vulnerabilities in the AI supply chain.
- Focus on critical minerals, semiconductor design, manufacturing and packaging, computing infrastructure, and energy grids.
- Protect sensitive technologies from countries seen as strategic risks.
Pax Silica and India
- India’s Earlier Exclusion: India currently lacks the critical edge technologies that Pax Silica prioritizes and is not a major repository of critical minerals, which limited its inclusion in the grouping.
- However, just as India joined the US-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) (2022), a year after its launch in 2023, becoming its 14th member, India could similarly be inducted into Pax Silica at a later stage.
What are India’s Initiatives to Support Silicon and AI Supply Chain?
- India’s Semiconductor Push:
- Through the USD 10 billion India Semiconductor Mission (ISM, 2021), India is working to build its own semiconductor ecosystem.
- 10 projects have been approved, with investments of about ₹1.6 trillion, covering both semiconductor fabrication and packaging.
- India’s AI Strategy:
- The ₹10,372 crore IndiaAI Mission (2024) focuses on developing indigenous Large Language Models (LLMs) and strengthening India’s domestic AI capabilities.
- GPU capacity has increased to 34,333 GPUs, almost double the earlier level.
- The mission supports a shared cloud-based computing platform for AI training and inference, which is essential for building foundational models suited to Indian data and needs.
- National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM):
- This mission aims to make India self-reliant in critical minerals needed for high-tech industries, clean energy, and defense.
- It covers the entire value chain—from exploration and mining to processing and recycling—and promotes overseas asset acquisition and international trade partnerships.
- Plans include setting up mineral parks, encouraging recycling, and supporting research, including a Centre of Excellence.
- Minerals Security Partnership (MSP):
- The MSP is a US-led initiative to strengthen global critical mineral supply chains by ensuring minerals are produced, processed, and recycled in ways that support economic development.
- It supports India’s goal of mineral self-reliance and complements domestic efforts like the National Critical Minerals Mission and overseas acquisitions by KABIL.
- It strengthens India’s role in the global competition for critical minerals essential for future industries and the energy transition.
FAQ’s
1. What is Pax Silica?
Pax Silica is a US-led coalition of nine countries aimed at securing a resilient, innovation-driven semiconductor and AI supply chain.
2. Which countries are part of Pax Silica?
Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Netherlands, UK, Israel, UAE, Australia, and the US.
3. What are India’s key initiatives in semiconductors and AI?
India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), IndiaAI Mission, and National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) aim to build indigenous supply chains, AI infrastructure, and critical mineral security.
