India's invitation to join 'Pax Silica' and participation in a critical minerals meeting in the United States demonstrate the country's growing influence as a trusted partner in key global value chains, according to IT Secretary S Krishnan. Speaking at a Nasscom-hosted pre-summit event ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Krishnan emphasized that these developments reflect international recognition of India's reliability in strategic partnerships.

India's AI Ambitions and Global Recognition

Krishnan outlined India's aspirations to become the world's capital for AI use cases, describing this goal as a "legitimate aim." He emphasized that achieving this status would significantly expand AI accessibility across diverse user segments, democratizing the technology's benefits.

The IT Secretary's comments came in the context of two significant international engagements that underscore India's strategic importance:

Strategic Partnership Recognition

"It reflects the kind of trust that India is held in. It is a recognition of how India is seen as a reliable and trusted partner in important value chains," Krishnan stated regarding both the 'Pax Silica' invitation and India's participation in the critical minerals meeting.

The Secretary emphasized that India has secured its position "at the high table" concerning these crucial international discussions. This positioning reflects the country's growing strategic importance in addressing global supply chain challenges, particularly in critical minerals and materials.

Critical Supply Chain Participation

Krishnan highlighted the fundamental importance of India's involvement in addressing critical minerals and materials supply chains. "It is important for a country like India to be a part of that. It is a recognition of the trust," he explained, emphasizing how these engagements demonstrate international confidence in India's capabilities and reliability as a strategic partner.

The developments signal India's expanding role in shaping global technology and resource security frameworks, positioning the country as an essential participant in critical international initiatives.

New US Ambassador Sergio Gor announced that India will be invited to join Pax Silica, a US-led strategic initiative focused on securing critical supply chains in silicon, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. Speaking shortly after his arrival in New Delhi, Gor emphasized the continued engagement between both nations, noting that "real friends can disagree but always resolve their differences" as global technology and supply-chain politics become increasingly complex.

Strategic Technology Partnership

The announcement represents a significant development in the evolving India-US relationship, particularly in high-technology domains. Gor described Pax Silica as a comprehensive US-led effort spanning the entire technology ecosystem, from raw materials to cutting-edge applications. "Pax Silica is a US-led strategic initiative, from critical minerals to advanced manufacturing," he confirmed, stating that India would receive an invitation to join the grouping.

Understanding Pax Silica Framework

Pax Silica operates as a framework designed to build secure, innovation-driven silicon supply chains across multiple critical areas:

The initiative emphasizes cooperation among trusted partners while seeking to reduce coercive dependencies in areas considered foundational to future economic and strategic power. US officials position Pax Silica as a positive-sum partnership focused on coordination among countries committed to remaining competitive in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Current Membership and Participation

The inaugural Pax Silica Summit brought together participants from multiple strategic partners across different regions:

These economies collectively host many companies and investors central to global semiconductor and artificial intelligence supply chains. According to US officials, the initiative reflects a new economic security paradigm shaped by growing recognition that secure supply chains and trusted technology ecosystems are essential for long-term growth.

Strategic Implications for India

India's proposed inclusion would position the country within a grouping focused on policy coordination, fair market practices, and long-term resilience in strategically sensitive technologies. The initiative responds to rising demand from partner countries to deepen cooperation with the United States as artificial intelligence increasingly reshapes economic competitiveness and national power. This development underscores the strengthening technology partnership between India and the US in critical emerging sectors.