India Likely to Join U.S.-Led Pax Silica Initiative to Secure Global Semiconductor and AI Supply Chains

• India is likely to receive an invitation to join the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative, which focuses on securing global supply chains for semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and critical minerals. Understanding Pax Silica• Pax Silica is a multilateral initiative launched by the United States in December 2025 to strengthen supply chains of critical technologies such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and rare earth elements (REEs).The term “Pax” signifies peace, while “Silica” refers to silicon-based semiconductor technologies, symbolising a stable, cooperative global technology framework.The Pax Silica Declaration outlines three core objectives:Reducing coercive economic dependencies,Ensuring secure global technology and AI supply chains, and• Building trusted digital infrastructure.• The initiative reflects rising concerns that excessive reliance on a single country for critical inputs can leave economies vulnerable to geopolitical pressure. Global Context Behind Pax Silica• The global economy is undergoing a transition in which advanced technologies such as AI, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure are increasingly central to economic and strategic influence.• At the same time, supply chains for rare earths and critical minerals remain highly concentrated.• China currently dominates global rare earth element supply and processing capacity.• In recent years, it has used export restrictions as a strategic lever, including halting REE exports after tariff disputes with the U.S. India also experienced disruptions in rare-earth magnet supplies, impacting its automobile and electronics sectors.• The COVID-19 pandemic