India Joins Pax Silica: A Strategic Leap into the Global Tech Alliance Reshaping the Silicon Future

February 21, 2026

In a defining moment for India’s global tech positioning, the nation has officially become the 10th full signatory to the Pax Silica Declaration—a landmark agreement that promises to reshape the architecture of the global semiconductor and AI ecosystem.

The formal signing took place on February 20, 2026, during the historic India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. The agreement was inked by Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), alongside US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg .

This accession places India at the heart of a “trusted” and innovation-driven alternative to concentrated dependencies in the global silicon stack—from raw minerals to frontier AI models—and marks a strategic convergence between the world’s largest democracy and one of its fastest-growing technology ecosystems .

What Is Pax Silica?

Launched in December 2025 in Washington, D.C., Pax Silica is a multilateral initiative coordinated by the US Department of State aimed at building resilient, secure, and collaborative networks across the entire technology value chain .

Founding Members (Pre-India)

Australia
Israel
Japan
Qatar
Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Singapore
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States

With India’s inclusion, the alliance now represents a powerful bloc of nations committed to:

Supply chain security for semiconductors and critical minerals
Trusted AI development aligned with democratic values
Open innovation while managing risks
Diversified sourcing reducing dependency on any single geography

The Name

“Pax Silica” evokes the idea of a stable, cooperative order built around silicon—the foundational material of the digital age. Like the Pax Romana or Pax Britannica, it suggests a framework for prosperity through shared rules and mutual benefit, rather than dominance through coercion .

What India’s Membership Means

India’s accession to Pax Silica is not merely symbolic—it carries concrete implications across multiple dimensions of technology policy and industrial development.

1. Semiconductor Supply Chain Security

India has ambitious goals under its India Semiconductor Mission:

Building domestic chip design capabilities
Establishing assembly, testing, marking, and packaging (ATMP) facilities
Eventually scaling to fabrication (fabs)

Pax Silica membership accelerates these goals through:

Enhanced Cooperation:

Process know-how sharing from advanced semiconductor ecosystems
Equipment access for fabrication and testing (companies like ASML, Applied Materials, Lam Research)
Partnerships with leading firms (Micron, Qualcomm, Intel, TSMC)
Critical minerals processing expertise for rare earths and specialized materials

Risk Reduction:

Diversified sourcing reduces vulnerability to supply disruptions
Coordinated stockpiling and emergency response mechanisms
Shared intelligence on supply chain threats

2. AI Ecosystem Alignment

India’s AI ambitions—showcased dramatically at the same summit through Sarvam AI’s 105B model launch and Yotta’s $2 billion supercluster—now have an international framework for cooperation:

Key Focus Areas:

Pro-innovation regulations that balance growth with safety
Secure and trusted AI development practices
Open access to advanced technologies among member nations
Democratic governance of AI systems
Ethical standards aligned with shared values

This complements India’s own New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments (announced just days earlier) and PM Modi’s MANAV Vision for ethical, inclusive AI .

3. Geopolitical and Economic Signaling

India’s inclusion in Pax Silica carries profound strategic significance:

A BRICS Member Joins a US-Led Bloc
As a founding member of BRICS with deep ties to the Global South, India’s participation bridges traditionally distinct geopolitical groupings. This signals that technology cooperation need not be zero-sum—nations can collaborate on shared challenges while maintaining diverse diplomatic relationships.

Strategic Convergence with the US
Coming amid warming India-US ties following adjustments in tariff and energy trade policies, this agreement deepens bilateral technology cooperation that has been growing for decades.

Global South Leadership
India’s voice within Pax Silica ensures that the perspectives of emerging economies are represented in shaping rules and standards for technologies that will affect billions.

4. Talent and Market Access

For Indian startups and enterprises, Pax Silica membership opens doors:

Faster Access to:

Process know-how from advanced semiconductor ecosystems
Equipment and materials for manufacturing
GPUs and advanced compute for AI development
Partnership opportunities with global technology leaders

Enhanced Credibility:

Indian companies become part of “trusted” supply chains
Compliance with Pax Silica standards signals reliability
Easier cross-border collaboration with member-nation firms

5. Critical Minerals and Rare Earths

India possesses significant reserves of rare earth elements and other critical minerals essential for semiconductor manufacturing, advanced electronics, and clean energy technologies. Pax Silica membership positions India as a key node in diversified, non-coercive global supply chains for these strategic resources.

The Broader Context: India’s AI and Semiconductor Momentum

India’s Pax Silica accession doesn’t happen in isolation. It builds on and amplifies extraordinary domestic momentum:

Recent Milestones (All from February 2026)

Announcement	Significance
Sarvam AI 105B model	India’s most powerful foundational model, outperforming global giants on Indic benchmarks
Yotta $2 billion supercluster	20,736 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs, dramatically expanding domestic compute capacity
NVIDIA-AIGI partnership	Catalyzing 10,000+ builders and 500+ AI ventures
IN-SPACe ₹6 crore seed fund	Supporting space-AI convergence startups
PM Modi’s MANAV Vision	Ethical framework for AI governance
New Delhi AI Commitments	Global principles for responsible frontier AI
Livspace AI restructuring	Consumer-tech embracing AI transformation
Peak XV $1.3 billion fund	Massive venture capital commitment
CS Tech AI NSE listing	Deep-tech infrastructure goes public
Infiheal AI FOR ALL win	Mental health AI recognized nationally

India Semiconductor Mission Targets

$200 billion data centre investment targets
Multiple ATMP units under establishment
Design-linked incentive schemes attracting global players
Skilling programs for semiconductor workforce

AI Infrastructure Push

Yotta’s supercluster (20,736 GPUs) going live August 2026
Government compute subsidies under IndiaAI Mission
Private sector investments from Reliance, Adani, and others

Pax Silica membership provides the international framework within which these domestic efforts can scale and integrate with global partners .

What US Officials Said

At the signing ceremony, US officials emphasized the strategic importance of India’s participation:

Jacob Helberg, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs:

“India’s participation in Pax Silica is strategic and essential. With one of the world’s largest tech talent pools, a vibrant startup ecosystem, and ambitious semiconductor goals, India brings capabilities and perspectives that strengthen the entire alliance. This isn’t about countering any single power—it’s about building collaborative, resilient networks that power innovation for the future.”

Sergio Gor, US Ambassador to India:

“The partnership between our nations has never been stronger. From defense to technology to energy, we are building a comprehensive relationship that benefits both our peoples. Pax Silica represents the next frontier of this partnership—working together to ensure that the technologies shaping our future are developed securely, ethically, and collaboratively.”

Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY:

“India’s accession to Pax Silica reflects our commitment to building a trusted, resilient, and innovative technology ecosystem. As we pursue our Semiconductor Mission and AI ambitions, this partnership provides a framework for cooperation with like-minded nations. We look forward to contributing our strengths—from talent to rare earths to entrepreneurial energy—to this shared endeavor.”

Implications for Indian Startups and Industry

For Indian technology companies, Pax Silica membership translates into tangible opportunities:

Semiconductor Startups

Access to global supply chains for materials and equipment
Partnership opportunities with established players
Credibility for fundraising and customer acquisition
Talent exchange programs with member nations

AI and Deep-Tech Startups

Faster access to advanced compute through coordinated frameworks
Collaborative R&D opportunities with member-nation institutions
Regulatory alignment reducing cross-border compliance burden
Market access to other Pax Silica economies

Established Enterprises

Supply chain diversification options
Technology partnerships with global leaders
Standards alignment simplifying international operations
Talent mobility across member nations

Investors

Clarity on regulatory frameworks across member nations
Cross-border investment corridors with reduced friction
Confidence in long-term policy stability
Exit options across multiple markets

The Geopolitical Context: A Shifting Global Order

Pax Silica must be understood within the broader evolution of global technology governance:

Beyond Zero-Sum Thinking

US officials explicitly framed Pax Silica as not about countering any single power but about building collaborative networks. This reflects a shift from purely competitive framing toward positive-sum cooperation among like-minded nations.

The Rise of “Tech Alliances”

Traditional military and economic alliances are being supplemented by technology-specific frameworks. Pax Silica joins:

Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue)
AUKUS (Australia-UK-US security pact)
IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework)
Chip 4 (semiconductor cooperation)

Each addresses different dimensions of technology cooperation, with Pax Silica focused specifically on the full silicon stack from minerals to models.

India’s Unique Position

As both a Pax Silica member and a BRICS founder, India occupies a distinctive position. This enables:

Bridge-building between groupings
Voice for Global South in technology governance
Model for multi-alignment in a complex world

The Values Dimension

Pax Silica explicitly ties technology cooperation to democratic governance, ethical standards, and shared values. This values-based approach distinguishes it from purely transactional arrangements and creates a framework for addressing concerns about AI safety, human rights, and digital authoritarianism.

What This Means for India’s Global Tech Ambitions

India’s accession to Pax Silica represents a significant elevation of its role in global technology governance:

From Participant to Core Player

For decades, India has been a participant in global technology systems shaped elsewhere. Pax Silica positions India as a core player in designing the next generation of those systems.

From Market to Partner

Global technology companies have long viewed India as a market—a place to sell products and access talent. Pax Silica signals a shift toward viewing India as a partner in building the future of technology itself.

From Follower to Shaper

In standards-setting, supply-chain design, and governance frameworks, India now has a seat at tables where the rules are written. This enables Indian perspectives—on inclusion, affordability, linguistic diversity, and development—to shape global norms.

From Dependent to Resilient

By joining a trusted network of technology partners, India reduces its exposure to supply chain disruptions, coercive dependencies, and technology decoupling risks. Resilience becomes built into the system, not an afterthought.

Challenges Ahead

While Pax Silica membership brings opportunities, challenges remain:

Implementation Complexity

Translating high-level agreements into operational cooperation requires sustained effort across multiple agencies and industries.

Balancing Relationships

India must navigate its diverse international partnerships—with Pax Silica members, BRICS partners, and others—without creating unnecessary tensions.

Domestic Capacity

To fully leverage Pax Silica, India must continue building domestic capabilities in semiconductor design, fabrication, AI research, and critical minerals processing.

Standards Alignment

Harmonizing Indian standards with Pax Silica frameworks will require regulatory evolution and industry adaptation.

Talent Development

The semiconductor and advanced AI workforce needs to expand dramatically to meet growing demand.

Conclusion: India’s Place in the Silicon Future

The signing of the Pax Silica Declaration on February 20, 2026, at the India AI Impact Summit marks a watershed moment for India’s technology trajectory. By joining this alliance of trusted, innovation-driven nations, India has:

Secured its place in the global semiconductor supply chain
Aligned its AI ambitions with like-minded partners
Deepened its strategic partnership with the United States and other key nations
Positioned itself as a bridge between the Global North and South
Gained a voice in shaping the rules for technologies that will define the 21st century

For Indian startups, enterprises, and researchers, this translates into tangible opportunities: faster access to advanced technologies, clearer pathways to global markets, and a framework for collaboration with the world’s most innovative companies.

For the global technology ecosystem, India’s inclusion brings one of the world’s largest talent pools, fastest-growing markets, and most dynamic startup ecosystems into a collaborative framework for building resilient, secure, and ethical technology supply chains.

As US officials noted, this is “not about countering any single power—it’s about building collaborative, resilient networks that power innovation for the future.”

India is now a core part of that future.