Pax Silica Summit 2025

At the inaugural Pax Silica Summit in 2025, India was excluded from the US-led Pax Silica initiative, sparking sharp political criticism domestically and in strategic circles.

About the Pax Silica Initiative

The Pax Silica Initiative is a strategic, US-led effort aimed at creating a secure, resilient, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.

Objectives

• Reduce China’s dominance over critical minerals and high-tech supply chains.

• Counter coercive dependencies in sectors including:

  • Critical minerals

  • Energy inputs

  • Semiconductors

  • Advanced manufacturing

  • AI infrastructure

  • Logistics

Key Measures

• Promote joint ventures and strategic co-investments in high-tech sectors.

• Protect sensitive technologies and critical infrastructure from countries of concern.

• Build trusted technology ecosystems among participating countries.

Participating Countries (as of December 2025)

• United States

• Japan

• South Korea

• Singapore

• Netherlands

• United Kingdom

• Israel

• United Arab Emirates (UAE)

• Australia

Notably, other Quad members like the US, Japan, and Australia are included, but India is absent.

India’s Position and Future Prospects

• Experts suggest that India could join Pax Silica at a later stage, similar to the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP).

• The MSP, launched in 2022 by the US, aims to secure critical mineral supply chains and reduce dependence on China.

India’s Participation in MSP

• India joined the MSP in June 2023.

• Other partners include: Japan, Australia, the EU, the UK, and Canada.

Focus of MSP

• Minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and the 17 rare earth elements.

• Viewed as an effort to counter China’s dominance in rare earth processing and mining in Africa.

Strategic Implications

• India’s exclusion from Pax Silica has triggered concerns about its participation in the global high-tech supply chain.

• However, its MSP participation demonstrates that India remains a key partner in critical mineral and technology initiatives.

• Future inclusion in Pax Silica could strengthen India’s role in global semiconductor, AI, and advanced manufacturing ecosystems.