Amidst growing discussions surrounding India's exclusion from the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative, a U.S. official has clarified that the ongoing tariff disputes between the two nations are not the primary reason for India's absence from the coalition. Pax Silica, unveiled on December 12, 2025, is a strategic initiative aimed at fortifying the silicon supply chain, encompassing critical minerals, energy inputs, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and logistics.

The coalition includes the U.S. alongside key allies such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. The initiative seeks to reduce reliance on specific suppliers and secure materials vital for artificial intelligence and advanced technology development. It aims to counter China's growing influence in the global AI sector and reinforce supply chain stability for critical minerals.

While tariff issues remain a point of discussion between the U.S. and India, the official emphasized that the decision to exclude India from Pax Silica is based on a broader assessment of factors such as technological capabilities and strategic alignment. Experts suggest that India currently lacks the critical edge technology that Pax Silica is focusing on, and is not yet a major repository of critical minerals.

India has reportedly made a "final" trade offer to the U.S., proposing tariff concessions on items like almonds, walnuts, apples, and certain industrial goods, seeking a rollback of additional tariffs imposed earlier. However, these negotiations are separate from the Pax Silica initiative.

Some analysts believe that India's exclusion signals its unreliability and irrelevance in the global tech arena, while others view it as a missed opportunity for the initiative, given India's emerging technology market, innovation capabilities, and substantial reserves of critical minerals. Exclusion from Pax Silica could limit collaborative efforts to diversify raw material sourcing and reduce supply chain risks.

Despite not being part of Pax Silica, India is pursuing bilateral critical technology partnerships with countries like the UAE, Singapore, and Japan. Experts have also noted that India could potentially join Pax Silica at a later stage, similar to its inclusion in the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP).

The U.S. State Department has stated that Pax Silica is "rooted in deep cooperation with trusted allies" and seeks to ensure that aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale. The initiative focuses on promoting joint ventures and strategic co-investments in high-tech sectors, protecting sensitive technologies and critical infrastructure, and building trusted technology ecosystems.