2. India’s Accession to Pax Silica: Strategic Technology Alliance

India is scheduled to formally join Pax Silica, a US-led strategic alliance, on Friday, February 20, 2026. The formalization is expected during the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. This move signifies a pivotal shift in India’s economic security policy, aiming to integrate into a \'trusted\' global supply chain for high-end technology and critical resources. Key Summary Points • Strategic Objective: Pax Silica is designed to build a secure, innovation-driven ecosystem across the entire AI value chain, encompassing everything from raw materials and critical minerals to advanced semiconductor infrastructure. • Geopolitical Significance: By joining a US-led framework while maintaining its BRICS membership, India is practicing a \'multi-aligned\' strategy to secure its technological future and reduce dependence on non-aligned or adversarial nations. • Supply Chain Resilience: The alliance prioritizes the creation of reliable supply chains for critical minerals (like lithium and cobalt) and semiconductors, countering the current global concentration of processing and manufacturing in China. • Economic Security: The \'Pax Silica Declaration\' recognizes that economic security is national security, focusing on shared security interests and AI-powered prosperity among member states. • Resource Integration: India brings one of the world\'s largest tech markets and a massive talent pool to the group, which currently includes nations like Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the UK, and the UAE. Constitutional & Legal Provisions • Article 51 (Directive Principles): Mandates the State to promote international peace and security and maintain just and honourable relations between nations, providing the constitutional basis for joining such strategic alliances. • Entry 10 & 13, Union List (7th Schedule): Gives the Central Government exclusive power over \'Foreign Affairs\' and \'Participation in international conferences/agreements,\' allowing New Delhi to sign the Pax Silica Declaration. • The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957: Recently amended to encourage the exploration of critical and deep-seated minerals, aligning domestic law with the alliance\'s goal of mineral security. • India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): A specialized business division within Digital India Corporation that oversees the $10 billion incentive plan to establish a domestic semiconductor ecosystem.Key Definitions • Pax Silica: Derived from the Latin Pax (peace/stability) and Silica (the material for silicon chips). It refers to a US-led coalition aimed at establishing a stable, western-anchored technological order. • Critical Minerals: Naturally occurring elements (e.g., Rare Earth Elements, Lithium, Gallium) that are essential to modern technology, including smartphones, EV batteries, and defense systems, and have high supply risk. • Technology Stack: The layers of technology required to run an application, which in the context of Pax Silica includes minerals, energy, hardware (chips), and software (AI models). Conclusion & UPSC Relevance Conclusion: India’s entry into Pax Silica marks its transition from a passive consumer to an active architect of the global technology order. By aligning with high-trust partners, India seeks to insulate its digital economy from geopolitical shocks while accelerating its domestic \'Make in India\' goals in semiconductors and AI. UPSC Relevance: * GS Paper II (International Relations): Bilateral and multilateral groupings involving India; Effect of policies of developed countries on India\'s interests. • GS Paper III (Economy & Science): Supply chain resilience; Indigenization of technology (Semiconductors/AI); Infrastructure. • Prelims: Mapping of critical mineral deposits; Functions of ECI (linked context); Definitions of emerging tech alliances.