India, Feb 20 : In a major development at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, India formally joined Pax Silica, a US-led initiative aimed at linking artificial intelligence with secure and resilient supply chains. The move integrates India into a broader framework by the US Department of State, designed to foster economic security partnerships among trusted countries amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The Pax Silica Declaration, described as the US State Department’s flagship effort on AI and supply chain security, underscores the importance of reliable supply chains for mutual economic stability and recognises AI as a transformative tool for long-term prosperity. Current signatories include Israel, Japan, the UAE, Australia, Greece, Singapore, Qatar, South Korea, and the UK, with the EU, Canada, the Netherlands, OECD, and Taiwan participating as non-signatories.
The announcement coincides with the visit of US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, who joined the US delegation at the summit alongside White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios. Helberg’s visit includes bilateral discussions aimed at advancing US-India cooperation in emerging technologies and launching the next phase of the American AI Exports Program under the AI Action Plan.
India’s move comes shortly after participation in the Critical Minerals Ministerial, where External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the need to “de-risk” critical mineral supply chains and endorsed initiatives such as the National Critical Minerals Mission and Rare Earth Corridors to strengthen resilience.
At the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented India’s MANAV vision for AI, emphasizing five principles: Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible and Inclusive, and Valid and Legitimate. He called for AI to remain human-centric, accessible to all, and governed by transparent, ethical frameworks that align profit with purpose.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026, the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and civil society to discuss responsible AI governance and inclusive technological growth. PM Modi stressed that India’s participation in Pax Silica and its MANAV vision will play a crucial role in shaping a human-centric global AI ecosystem.