NEWS – A new US-led strategic initiative — Pax Silica — aimed at securing the global silicon and critical minerals supply chain does not include India. This comes amid ongoing but inconclusive India–US trade negotiations and a broader global effort to diversify supply chains away from China.

WHY CRITICAL MINERALS MATTER

Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements are essential for:

• Clean energy technologies (EVs, batteries, renewables)
• Semiconductors, AI and advanced manufacturing
• Defence and strategic sectors

Control over these minerals increasingly defines economic security and geopolitical influence.

WHAT IS PAX SILICA?

• A US-led coalition to build a secure silicon supply chain — from minerals and energy to semiconductors, AI infrastructure and logistics.
• Participants include Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, UK, Australia, Israel, UAE and others.
• Focus areas:
  • Joint ventures and co-investments
  • Protection of sensitive technologies
  • Trusted technology ecosystems (ICT, data centres, fibre cables, AI models)

Why India is absent: Experts note India’s relatively limited role in advanced semiconductor design, manufacturing and AI ecosystems compared to current members.

MINERALS SECURITY PARTNERSHIP (MSP)

• Launched in 2022 by the US to reduce dependence on China-dominated mineral supply chains.
• India joined MSP in June 2023, alongside 13 other partners.
• Focuses on minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earths.

This suggests India could join Pax Silica at a later stage, as seen with MSP.

INDIA’S INITIATIVES

• National Critical Mineral Mission (2025) to boost domestic exploration, processing and recycling.
• Identification of 30 critical minerals vital for economic and national security.
• Engagement through QUAD, which has working groups on:
  • Critical minerals supply chains
  • Technology resilience and clean energy cooperation

WAY FORWARD

• India must deepen capabilities in semiconductors, processing and advanced manufacturing.
• Strategic alignment with partners remains crucial as global supply chains realign post-China disruptions.

CONCLUSION:
India’s exclusion from Pax Silica highlights capability gaps, not strategic divergence — and leaves room for future entry if domestic strengths improve.