India, Feb. 20 -- If the 20th century was defined by oil and steel, the 21st is forged in silicon. On Friday, India formally joined the Pax Silica-a US-led geopolitical and economic alliance designed to secure the global supply chain for AI, semiconductors, and critical minerals - sectors where China enjoys a near monopoly.

Brokered by the US State Department, the alliance is an initiative to decouple from China. For India, joining the Pax Silica represents a strategic pivot-a chance to lock in billions in tech investments and cement its role as the primary alternative to China.

Launched in December 2025, Pax Silica is a nod to Pax Americana-a G7 of sorts for the AI age. The foundational premise is that today, economic security is now i...