India Invited to Join U.S.-Led Pax Silica Initiative
India to join Pax Silica, enhancing cooperation on semiconductors and AI.
Photo by Shubham Dhage
India has been invited to join the U.S.-led "Pax Silica" initiative, which includes eight nations cooperating on semiconductors, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence. The announcement was made by incoming U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor on Monday.
While India was not part of the original launch in December, other Quad members like Japan and Australia, along with I2U2 countries, Israel, UAE, South Korea, Singapore, the U.K., and the Netherlands, were invited. Ambassador Gor also expressed optimism about progress in long-delayed trade negotiations between India and the U.S., despite recent tensions over trade, tariffs, and India's import of Russian oil. He hopes U.S.
President Donald Trump will visit India soon, possibly to attend the Quad Summit.
Key Facts
Pax Silica: U.S.-led initiative on semiconductors, minerals, AI
Participants: Japan, Australia, Israel, UAE, South Korea, UK
India invited: To join Pax Silica next month
Trade negotiations: India and U.S. actively engaged
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: International Relations - Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests.
GS Paper III: Science and Technology - Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life; Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Potential question types: Statement-based MCQs on the objectives and implications of Pax Silica; Analytical questions on India's strategic interests in joining the initiative.
Visual Insights
Pax Silica Initiative: Participating Nations
Map showing the countries invited to the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative, focusing on semiconductors, critical minerals, and AI.
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More Information
Background
The concept of technological alliances among nations to secure strategic resources and maintain geopolitical influence has historical precedents. During the Cold War, the Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (CoCom) restricted the export of strategic technologies to communist countries. Pax Silica, while not explicitly restrictive, echoes this sentiment by aiming to consolidate technological leadership among a select group of nations.
The rise of semiconductor manufacturing as a critical industry can be traced back to the late 20th century, with the US initially dominating the sector before East Asian economies like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan emerged as major players. The current initiative reflects a renewed focus on securing supply chains and technological advantages in the face of growing global competition, particularly from China.
Latest Developments
Recent years have witnessed increased government intervention in the semiconductor industry, driven by supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating geopolitical tensions. The US CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, providing billions in subsidies for domestic semiconductor manufacturing, exemplifies this trend. Globally, countries are investing heavily in semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing to reduce reliance on specific regions.
The ongoing trade war between the US and China has further accelerated these efforts, prompting nations to diversify their supply chains and forge new alliances. The future likely holds greater regionalization of semiconductor production and increased collaboration among like-minded nations to ensure technological security and competitiveness.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the 'Pax Silica' initiative: 1. It is a U.S.-led initiative focused on cooperation in semiconductors, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence. 2. All members of the Quad grouping were initial invitees to the initiative. 3. The primary aim of the initiative is to restrict technology transfer to countries deemed as strategic competitors. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.1 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. While the initiative focuses on cooperation in semiconductors, critical minerals, and AI, and Quad members like Japan and Australia were invited, the primary aim is not explicitly to restrict technology transfer but to foster collaboration among participating nations. Statement 3 is therefore incorrect.
2. Which of the following countries is NOT explicitly mentioned as being invited to the U.S.-led 'Pax Silica' initiative in the provided news summary?
- A.Japan
- B.South Korea
- C.The Netherlands
- D.Canada
Show Answer
Answer: D
The news summary mentions Japan, South Korea, and the Netherlands as being invited to the Pax Silica initiative. Canada is not mentioned.
3. Assertion (A): India's participation in the Pax Silica initiative could enhance its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. Reason (R): The initiative promotes collaboration in research, development, and supply chain security for semiconductors. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
- B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
- C.A is true, but R is false.
- D.A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why India's participation in Pax Silica could enhance its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. The initiative's focus on collaboration in research, development, and supply chain security directly contributes to strengthening domestic manufacturing.
4. Which of the following statements accurately describes the historical context of technological alliances like Pax Silica?
- A.Technological alliances are a purely post-Cold War phenomenon driven by globalization.
- B.The Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (CoCom) during the Cold War serves as a historical precedent for such alliances.
- C.Technological alliances have historically been limited to collaborations in military technology only.
- D.The rise of semiconductor manufacturing has had no impact on the formation of technological alliances.
Show Answer
Answer: B
The Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (CoCom) during the Cold War, which restricted the export of strategic technologies to communist countries, serves as a historical precedent for technological alliances like Pax Silica. This demonstrates that such alliances are not a purely post-Cold War phenomenon and have historical roots in geopolitical competition.