Today in New Delhi (February 20, 2026), India officially joined the Pax Silica Declaration, a high-stakes US-led strategic alliance designed to secure the global AI and semiconductor supply chain.
The deal was signed on the fifth day of the AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. Here is the latest:
- “No to Weaponized Dependency”
US Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg and Ambassador Sergio Gor emphasized that the pact is about breaking away from “coercive dependencies”—specifically targeting the over-concentration of chip manufacturing in non-market economies (like China). Helberg stated, “Economic security is national security.”
- Securing the “Full Stack”
The declaration isn’t just about buying chips; it covers the entire AI ecosystem:
- Critical Minerals: Securing raw materials needed for chip production.
- Advanced Fabrication: Direct support for India’s burgeoning 2nm chip design projects.
- Infrastructure: Building trusted data centers and fiber-optic networks.
- Industry Titans Weigh In
Sundar Pichai (Google CEO): Attended the signing and noted that Pax Silica will ensure supply chains are “safe and secure,” laying the foundation for a long-term tech partnership. Ashwini Vaishnav (Union IT Minister): Highlighted that the pact validates the global “trust” in India’s talent pool and respect for intellectual property.
4. Why This Matters Now
This follows a period of diplomatic strain and India’s initial exclusion from the group last December. By joining today, India joins a “Coalition of Capabilities” alongside the UK, Japan, South Korea, and the UAE, effectively placing Bangalore and Silicon Valley at the center of the next industrial revolution.
