Washington: A Senior US Official Addresses India’s Absence from Pax Silica Group
Jacob Helberg, a key US official, has denied that India’s lack of participation in the newly launched Pax Silica technology group is linked to rising tensions between the US and India. During a press briefing, Helberg emphasized India’s importance as a “highly strategic” partner in enhancing US supply chains.
He clarified that there has been much speculation regarding India’s exclusion from the Pax Silica summit but stressed that discussions surrounding trade arrangements between the US and India are separate from supply chain security talks. “We are not mixing these two issues,” Helberg remarked in response to queries.
Recently, the US State Department announced Pax Silica, a multi-nation initiative aimed at securing technology and supply chain security in areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing. Countries like Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Israel, the Netherlands, the UAE, and the UK have joined the initiative. India’s absence is notable, especially given its previous involvement in US-led supply chain initiatives like the Minerals Security Partnership.
Indian Congress leader Jairam Ramesh suggested that India’s exclusion might stem from broader issues in the US-India relationship. However, Helberg clarified that the US intends to expand the Pax Silica platform by starting with a core group of technologically advanced nations.
“This smaller group focuses particularly on semiconductor manufacturing, with countries like Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Netherlands at its center,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Helberg expressed a desire to add more reliable partners to the Pax Silica framework by 2026. He reiterated India’s potential as a strategic partner in supply chain matters, noting that he’s in “near daily communication” with Indian officials. Furthermore, he plans to visit New Delhi for the India AI summit next February, where significant developments in the economic security partnership between the US and India could take place.
