NEW DELHI, Jan. 13 -- The US' new ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, said on Monday that India will be invited next month to become a full-time member of Pax Silica-a Washington-led strategic initiative aimed at securing the global silicon supply chain in the era of artificial intelligence (AI).

The proposed initiative follows earlier US-led efforts such as the 2022 Mineral Security Partnership and the more recent Quad Critical Minerals Initiative. Together, these pacts reflect a growing effort by Washington and its allies to align technology, critical minerals and geopolitics, as competition with China intensifies.

Mint explains what Pax Silica is and why it matters for India.

Pax Silica is the US government's attempt to identify truste...