Highlights:
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US labels India a “highly strategic potential partner” in securing global supply chains.
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India excluded from the initial Pax Silica silicon supply chain initiative.
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US denies India’s omission is due to trade or political tensions.
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Near-daily talks ongoing between US and India on economic security.
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US plans to expand Pax Silica membership in 2026, potentially including India.
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Pax Silica focuses on semiconductor, AI, and advanced manufacturing supply chain resilience.
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US official to attend India AI Impact Summit in February 2026 to advance cooperation.
Washington continues to engage India as a crucial partner in securing global supply chains, even though India was not included in the initial launch of the US-led Pax Silica silicon supply chain initiative, a senior State Department official confirmed on December 17, 2025.
Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg emphasized that the United States maintains “nearly daily communication” with Indian counterparts to strengthen collaboration on economic security and supply chain resilience. The official also dismissed any suggestion that India’s exclusion from Pax Silica reflected political or trade tensions between the two countries.
India’s Role in US Supply Chain Strategy
The Pax Silica initiative, unveiled last week, aims to bolster supply chains critical to semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced manufacturing. The founding members include Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. Notably, India was left out of the initial grouping.
Helberg clarified, “I want to be clear that the conversations between the United States and India pertaining to trade arrangements are completely separate from our discussions on supply chain security. We view India as a highly strategic potential partner, and we welcome the opportunity to engage with them.”
The US official indicated that India’s absence at this stage does not close the door on future inclusion, highlighting ongoing dialogue and a shared interest in deepening ties. Helberg is scheduled to attend the India AI Impact Summit in February 2026, which is expected to foster concrete milestones for cooperation in the AI and semiconductor domains.
Focus on Semiconductor and AI Supply Chain Security
Pax Silica’s primary goal is to secure the “lifeblood” of modern technologies, spanning sectors such as automotive, smartphones, and AI systems. The initiative seeks to reduce reliance on coercive supply dependencies and protect critical materials necessary for AI development.
The US State Department describes Pax Silica as a strategic framework that enables trusted partners to deploy advanced technologies at scale while safeguarding essential supply chains from geopolitical risks.
Although India was not included initially, US officials emphasized plans to expand the initiative’s membership in 2026, potentially opening the door for India’s participation in future phases.
US-India Economic Security Partnership Continues
Despite being excluded from the Pax Silica launch, India remains a central figure in Washington’s broader strategy to secure supply chains and foster economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Helberg’s remarks signal that economic and trade discussions with India are advancing independently from the new silicon pact. This distinction suggests the US values India’s role in global economic security beyond the current scope of Pax Silica.
The State Department official reiterated, “We view India as a highly strategic potential partner” and highlighted the “near-daily” communication as evidence of the active engagement between the two nations.
