US Ambassador Hails ‘Fantastic Partnership’ as India Joins Pax Silica Declaration

New Delhi: Against the backdrop of the ongoing AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, India on Friday formally joined the Pax Silica declaration, marking a key milestone in global cooperation on critical technologies.

Reacting to India’s entry into the grouping, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor welcomed the development, calling it a major boost to bilateral ties. “I am very happy that India has joined Pax Silica. It’s a fantastic partnership and we will move forward from there,” he said.

Pax Silica is a US-led strategic alliance aimed at building resilient supply chains for critical minerals while also fostering the development of robust artificial intelligence frameworks. India’s formal inclusion is expected to strengthen the alliance, accelerate technological cooperation, and enhance the country’s ability to leverage its rare earth mineral resources.

Taking to X, the US envoy described the development as a landmark moment, writing: “A GREAT day for our relationship. Today INDIA joins PAX SILICA!”

Following the signing of the Pax Silica Declaration, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Jacob Helberg, Sergio Gor and MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan, posed for a group photograph, reaffirming India–US collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.

India’s entry into the select group is being seen as a significant step toward strengthening trusted semiconductor and technology supply chains. Vaishnaw described the declaration as a major boost for India’s expanding semiconductor and electronics ecosystem.

“Pax Silica is very important for semiconductor manufacturing, supply-chain development, chip design and the entire ecosystem,” the minister said. “This will greatly benefit India’s electronics and semiconductor industry. Ten plants are already in the process of being established, and the first semiconductor plant will begin commercial production very soon. A complete ecosystem is emerging, and Pax Silica will be crucial for this. The youth of India will benefit immensely.”

At present, the strategic alliance includes Japan, South Korea, Singapore, United Kingdom, Israel and Australia. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Greece joined the declaration last month.

The initiative is also widely viewed as a strategic effort to counter China’s dominance in the rare earth minerals sector.

With inputs from IANS