Sergio Gor, Jan 12 : The new US Ambassador to India, made a major announcement on Monday (January 12) in his first remarks after taking charge: India will be invited next month to join the US led Pax Silica initiative as a full member.
Launched last month, Pax Silica is a strategic initiative aimed at creating a secure, innovation-driven silicon supply chain spanning critical minerals, energy inputs, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI development, and logistics. According to the US State Department, the initiative seeks to reduce coercive dependencies, safeguard materials and capabilities vital for artificial intelligence, and enable aligned nations to develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale.
Countries that joined at the launch include Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the UAE, and Australia. India’s initial exclusion had drawn criticism from the opposition Congress party, calling it “a missed opportunity.”
Ambassador Gor’s Statement
“I want to share that India will be invited to join Pax Silica as a full member next month,” Gor said. “As the world adopts new technology, it is essential that India and the United States work hand in hand from the very start of this initiative.”
Update on India-US Trade Deal
Gor also provided updates on the ongoing bilateral trade negotiations between India and the US, which are particularly significant given high tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. He stated that the “next call” on the trade deal will occur tomorrow and emphasised that while India is a large and complex nation, both sides are determined to reach an agreement.
“While trade is important, we will continue to collaborate on security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health,” he added.
India: An Essential Strategic Partner
Highlighting the importance of India-US relations, Gor called India an “essential partner” and outlined his ambitious agenda:
“No partner is more essential than India. It is my goal as ambassador to pursue a very ambitious agenda. We will do this as true strategic partners, each bringing strength, respect, and leadership to the table.”
Gor also spoke warmly about the personal rapport between PM Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump, asserting the friendship is real and enduring.
He concluded:
“I thank the people of India for a very warm welcome. You are resilient, innovative, and spiritual. Together, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to redefine diplomacy, which could become the most consequential global partnership of this century.”