New Delhi, 20 February (H.S.): On Friday, India formally signed the agreement to join the Pax Silica alliance during a ceremony at the India AI Impact Summit's fifth day at Bharat Mandapam, reaffirming shared commitment with senior officials from both nations to safeguard the comprehensive technological framework powering the AI-driven global economy.

Vaishnaw Hails Milestone Moment

Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw described the signing not as mere formality but as a pivotal moment in nation-building, underscoring India's compounding growth since independence. He highlighted Indian engineers designing cutting-edge two-nanometer chips and projected the semiconductor industry requiring nearly one million new professionals, presenting immense opportunities for India.

Helberg Outlines Strategic Roadmap

US Deputy Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and Environment Jacob Helberg characterized the declaration as a roadmap for shared futures, emphasizing that economic security equates to national security through Pax Silica.

The alliance secures the entire silicon stack—from subsurface minerals to laboratory silicon wafers, fabrication facilities, and intelligence amplifying human potential.

US Envoy Stresses Imperative Partnership

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor deemed India's participation strategic and essential, positioning Pax Silica to define 21st-century economic and technological orders by fortifying the full silicon supply chain from mines to chip fabs and data centers. He affirmed choosing freedom, partnership, and strength, noting the AI revolution exists today, not merely in the future.

Pichai Welcomes Supply Chain Fortification

Google CEO Sundar Pichai welcomed the initiative for promoting secure supply chains and key technology collaborations, stating it lays a robust foundation for US-India tech partnerships alongside recent trade agreements.

High-Level Strategic Dialogue

In a subsequent fireside chat, Secretary of Electronics and IT S Krishnan, Ambassador Gor, Micron Technology CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, and Tata Electronics CEO & MD Randhir Thakur discussed AI ambitions and semiconductor resilience.

Krishnan advocated resilient collaborations with trusted partners to secure India's place in future global tech architectures.

Pax Silica's Foundational Vision

The alliance pledges joint efforts for shared prosperity, technological advancement, and economic security, recognizing trusted supply chains and secure AI systems as imperatives for future economies amid AI's rapid transformation across energy, minerals, manufacturing, hardware, infrastructure, and emerging markets.

Launched with its inaugural summit on December 12, 2025, in Washington, Pax symbolizes peace, stability, and prosperity.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar