Pax Silica signing ceremony. (U.S. Department of State)
February 20, 2026 8:29 AM, EST
India formally joined a U.S.-led initiative to protect supply chains, including on critical minerals, in another sign that both sides are resetting ties after a turbulent year.
The two countries signed the Pax Silica Declaration at a ceremony in New Delhi on Feb. 20, followed by a fireside chat with U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg.
“India joins Pax Silica, the coalition that will define the 21st century economic and technological order,” Gor said in remarks before the signing.
Gor, a close associate of President Donald Trump, arrived in New Delhi last month. Shortly after taking up the post, he invited India to join the initiative, which includes countries such as Japan, South Korea, the U.K. and Israel. The alliance aims to strengthen critical minerals supply chains and deepen cooperation on artificial intelligence.
The signing comes days after Helberg said the U.S. is discussing a critical minerals price floor system with allies and partners. It marks the latest step in efforts by Washington and its partners to shield Western companies from China’s pressure in those markets.
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The U.S. and India have also moved to stabilize relations after a rocky first year of Trump’s second term. Earlier this month, Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a trade deal that reduced what had been among the highest U.S. tariffs on Indian goods. India has also scaled back its imports of Russian oil, addressing a key U.S. demand.
Modi has invited Trump to visit India, Gor told reporters after the ceremony, though no date has yet been announced. He added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to India in the coming months for a Quad meeting, an informal grouping that includes the U.S., Japan, India and Australia.
India was set to host the Quad leaders’ summit last year, but the meeting was pushed to the back burner as ties between the two countries deteriorated over tariffs.
