Overview
On December 13, 2025, the Congress party targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over India’s exclusion from Pax Silica, a new U.S.-led strategic initiative. This initiative focuses on securing global silicon and high-technology supply chains. Congress argues that being part of this grouping would have been in India’s interest.
Key Developments
Congress Party's Stance
- Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, attributed India's absence to a “sharp downturn” in ties between PM Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump.
- Mr. Ramesh linked the development to Mr. Modi’s social media post describing his phone conversation with Mr. Trump as “warm and engaging”.
Details of Pax Silica
- Pax Silica is designed to reduce Chinese dominance in high-tech supply chains, acting as a counter to Pax Sinica.
- The initiative includes the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia.
U.S. State Department's Perspective
The U.S. State Department describes Pax Silica as a strategic initiative rooted in deep cooperation among trusted partners. It aims to:
- Build a secure, resilient, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.
- Reduce coercive dependencies.
- Safeguard materials and capabilities critical to artificial intelligence.
- Enable aligned nations to develop and deploy advanced technologies at scale.
India's Position
- Notably, while other Quad members — the U.S., Japan, and Australia — are part of the initiative, India is not.
Exam Relevance
This news is relevant to the UPSC syllabus under GS2 (International Relations) and GS3 (Economy and Science & Technology). It highlights the evolving dynamics of international relations, the importance of supply chain security, and India's strategic partnerships.
Potential Exam Questions
- Analyze the implications of India's exclusion from Pax Silica for its technological advancement and economic growth.
- Evaluate the factors influencing India-U.S. relations and their impact on strategic collaborations.
- Discuss the significance of securing global supply chains in the context of rising geopolitical tensions.
Important Facts
- Date of the news: December 13, 2025
- Initiative: Pax Silica
- Objective: Securing global silicon and high-technology supply chains
- Key Countries: United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia
- Congress's View: India's exclusion is a disadvantage due to strained relations between PM Modi and President Trump.