India formally joined the Pax Silica coalition on 20 February 2026 at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, according to the Ministry of Electronics and IT. Pax Silica is described as a strategic coalition of trusted nations committed to securing the silicon stack, from critical minerals and semiconductor fabrication to advanced AI systems and deployment infrastructure. The official release says the initiative seeks to reduce overconcentration in global supply chains, prevent economic coercion and ensure that emerging technologies are developed and governed by open, democratic societies. This should not be dated to 2024 or attributed to a joint DST-Ministry of Mines announcement. The related National Critical Mineral Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet on 29 January 2025, with expenditure of Rs.16,300 crore and expected PSU and stakeholder investment of Rs.18,000 crore. The Ministry of Mines has separately stated that a committee identified 30 critical minerals, with 24 included in Part D of Schedule I of the MMDR Act.
India Joins Pax Silica Partnership — Critical Minerals and Semiconductor Security
India formally joined Pax Silica at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on 20 February 2026, deepening India-US cooperation on the silicon stack, semiconductors, advanced AI systems, deployment infrastructure and critical minerals.
Key facts
- India formally joined Pax Silica on 20 February 2026 at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
- The official nodal ministry release was from the Ministry of Electronics and IT, not a DST-Ministry of Mines joint announcement.
- Pax Silica covers the silicon stack from critical minerals and semiconductor fabrication to advanced AI systems and deployment infrastructure.
- The initiative aims to reduce overconcentration in supply chains and prevent economic coercion.
- The National Critical Mineral Mission was approved on 29 January 2025 with Rs.16,300 crore expenditure and expected Rs.18,000 crore investment.
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Source: PIB/DST
Frequently asked questions
When did India formally join Pax Silica?
India formally joined Pax Silica on 20 February 2026 at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
What does Pax Silica seek to secure?
It seeks to secure the silicon stack, from critical minerals and semiconductor fabrication to advanced AI systems and deployment infrastructure.
Which ministry issued the official Indian release?
The official PIB release was under the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
How does this relate to the National Critical Mineral Mission?
It is a separate strategic-technology development. The National Critical Mineral Mission was approved on 29 January 2025 with Rs.16,300 crore expenditure and expected Rs.18,000 crore investment.
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