🤝 Strategic Milestone: India Joins Pax Silica

On the fifth day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, India formally joined the Pax Silica coalition. This marks a defining milestone in deepening strategic technology and supply chain cooperation between India and the United States.

The signing ceremony brought together senior government leaders from both democracies, underscoring a shared commitment to securing the full technology stack that will power the future AI-driven global economy.

Pax Silica Tech Coalition
India & US Key Partners
1 Million Skilled Pros Needed

🛡️ What is the Pax Silica Coalition?

Pax Silica is envisioned as a strategic coalition of trusted nations committed to securing the "silicon stack."

🔗 The Silicon Stack
Encompasses everything from the extraction of critical minerals deep in the earth, to semiconductor fabrication (fabs), down to advanced AI systems and deployment infrastructure.
⚖️ Core Objectives
The initiative seeks to reduce overconcentration in global supply chains, prevent economic coercion ("weaponized dependency"), and ensure emerging technologies are governed by open, democratic societies.

🗣️ Leadership Perspectives & Vision

Leaders from both nations emphasized that economic security is intertwined with national security and technological resilience.

  • Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw (Minister of Electronics & IT): Highlighted India's compounding growth and noted that Indian engineers are currently designing the world's most advanced 2-nanometer chips. He projected a requirement of around one million new skilled professionals in the semiconductor industry.
  • Jacob Helberg (US Under Secretary of State): Stated that the coalition says "no to weaponized dependency and blackmail," affirming that "economic security is national security."
  • Sergio Gor (US Ambassador to India): Described Pax Silica as the coalition that will define the 21st-century economic and technological order, ensuring free societies control the commanding heights of the global economy.

📚 Prelims Quiz Corner

1. The "Pax Silica" coalition, which India recently joined, is primarily aimed at securing which of the following?
  • A) Global maritime trade routes
  • B) The global "silicon stack" and semiconductor supply chain
  • C) International space station operations
  • D) Agricultural biodiversity
Answer: B
2. According to the statements made at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Indian engineers are currently involved in designing which highly advanced semiconductor chips?
  • A) 10-nanometer chips
  • B) 7-nanometer chips
  • C) 5-nanometer chips
  • D) 2-nanometer chips
Answer: D
Source Information: PIB Release ID: 2230648 (Feb 20, 2026) Link to Original Press Release Ministry of Electronics & IT
India Joins 'Pax Silica' Coalition to Secure Global Silicon Stack - Image 1