22/01/2026
is a multilateral initiative launched by the United States in December 2025 to secure supply chains of critical technologies such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and rare earth elements (REEs).
The term “Pax” denotes peace, while “Silica” refers to silicon-based semiconductor technologies, symbolising a stable and cooperative global technology order.
The Pax Silica Declaration emphasises three core objectives:
1. Reducing coercive economic dependencies.
2. Ensuring secure global technology and AI supply chains.
3. Building trusted digital infrastructure.
The initiative reflects growing concerns that over-dependence on a single country for critical inputs can expose economies to geopolitical coercion.
Now the global economy is witnessing a shift where advanced technologies such as AI, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure are becoming central to economic and strategic power.
At the same time, supply chains for rare earths and critical minerals remain highly concentrated.
China currently dominates the global supply of rare earth elements and processing capabilities.
In recent years, it has used export restrictions as a strategic tool, including suspending REE exports following tariff disputes with the U.S. India too faced disruptions in rare-earth magnet supplies, affecting its automobile and electronics industries.
The pandemic further exposed vulnerabilities of globally fragmented and concentrated supply chains, prompting countries to pursue diversification and resilience strategies.
India is not yet a formal member but is expected to be invited soon. India brings several strengths to Pax Silica.
It has one of the world’s most robust digital public infrastructures, a rapidly growing AI market, and a large pool of skilled technology professionals.
The Government of India has also launched the and national AI initiatives with significant financial support.
Investments by Indian firms such as the Tata Group and foreign companies like Micron indicate growing confidence in India’s semiconductor ecosystem....
