India Joins U.S.-Led Pax Silica Coalition at Historic AI Summit

India has formally joined the United States-led Pax Silica coalition, marking a significant milestone in global AI infrastructure cooperation. The announcement came during the final day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, where over 80 countries signed a landmark declaration on artificial intelligence development and governance. The Pax Silica coalition, spearheaded by the United States, aims to build a resilient supply chain for critical minerals and semiconductors essential for AI infrastructure. India's entry into this alliance signals the country's commitment to becoming a major player in the global AI ecosystem while securing access to vital resources needed for advanced computing systems. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that all major AI-developing nations have signed the India AI Impact Summit 2026 declaration, with the final count of signatories expected to exceed 80 countries. The summit, which drew over 250,000 visitors and was extended by an additional day due to overwhelming response, featured commitments totaling more than $250 billion in AI-related infrastructure investments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India's focus on semiconductor development and sovereign AI capabilities during the summit. The government has pledged to create an AI regulatory environment that is "unapologetically friendly to entrepreneurship," balancing innovation with responsible development. This approach contrasts with more restrictive regulatory frameworks being debated in other regions. The summit also saw significant participation from global tech leaders, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who highlighted the U.S.-India partnership's potential to democratize AI benefits globally. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also met with Prime Minister Modi to discuss AI's role in addressing global challenges. Several state governments announced major AI initiatives during the summit. Andhra Pradesh signed seven memorandums of understanding to develop a Quantum-AI Hub, while Maharashtra announced a statewide agriculture data exchange platform. Dell Technologies unveiled its "AI India Blueprint," and BSES showcased a digital twin of its power distribution network. The International Monetary Fund's Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, projected that AI could boost global economic growth by 0.8%, supporting India's "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) vision for 2047. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development emphasized the need for agile public policy frameworks to keep pace with rapid AI advancement. However, the summit was not without controversy. The Indian Youth Congress staged protests against India-U.S. trade agreements, resulting in multiple detentions. Additionally, U.S. delegation head Michael Kratsios declared opposition to centralized global AI governance, advocating instead for decentralized development approaches. Industry leaders at the summit stressed the importance of developing sovereign AI technologies to avoid digital dependency. Sarvam AI Co-founder Vivek Raghavan highlighted India's need to build indigenous AI capabilities, while Fujitsu President Takahito Tokita emphasized AI's role in augmenting rather than replacing human capabilities. The summit's success and India's entry into Pax Silica represent a pivotal moment in the global AI landscape. As nations compete for technological leadership, international cooperation on supply chains and infrastructure becomes increasingly critical. India's strategic positioning in this coalition could accelerate its ambitions to become a leading AI hub while ensuring access to the resources necessary for sustained innovation in artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing.