United States Integrates India into Pax Silica Economic Security Framework

The United States is bringing India on board as a major partner in Pax Silica, a new economic alliance aimed at strengthening global supply chains for AI, semiconductors, and other cutting-edge tech. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg announced this move during a speech at the Hudson Institute on January 29, 2026.

Helberg explained that Pax Silica—launched by the U.S. in December 2025—focuses on semiconductors, critical minerals, logistics, and AI infrastructure to build secure, trusted tech ecosystems worldwide. The U.S. plans to officially add India as a member next month, in February 2026. While early members included manufacturing powerhouses like Japan and South Korea, Helberg called India's role essential for the full chain, from mineral sourcing to AI development.

He framed the global tech race as a battle on three fronts: innovation, market access, and supply chain resilience. "Hardware, especially silicon, is the main arena of strategic competition," Helberg said, adding that supply chains are now tools of geopolitical power, not just business. Pax Silica adopts a "trust but verify" approach with partners to ensure reliable access to materials and logistics—described as an "America strategy," not a direct shot at China.

The alliance's declaration, signed December 12, 2025, by Australia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and the UK (soon joined by Qatar and the UAE), seeks to cut coercive dependencies and foster secure digital infrastructure amid rising tensions.

This fits into broader U.S.-India tech ties. A recent Hyderabad conference pushed the TRUST initiative (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology), kicked off by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi on February 13, 2025. It emphasizes AI and cybersecurity, including an AI Infrastructure Roadmap to speed up U.S.-backed data centers in India via private investments.

Helberg with his wife Donald Trump heads to India soon for the AI Impact Summit to nail down projects, praising India's talent pool as rivaling China's. The coalition pairs strengths—like minerals with processing, energy, and manufacturing—while leaning on private companies as the "biggest weapon." Governments, he said, should clear red tape and protect IP. A fresh U.S.-India trade deal adds momentum for these targeted efforts.