Washington, D.C.: The United States has assured India that access to advanced technology, once granted, will not be withdrawn, marking a significant development in bilateral cooperation on emerging technologies and strategic supply chains. The assurance was conveyed during high-level discussions held on the sidelines of the second Pax Silica Summit in the United States, where senior officials from both countries explored avenues to deepen collaboration in areas such as AI, semiconductor manufacturing, and access to critical minerals.
Speaking to reporters during the two-day summit, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), S. Krishnan, said the discussions reflected a growing understanding between India and the United States regarding technology sharing and innovation. According to him, the US indicated that technology access, once provided, would not be revoked, offering reassurance amid increasing global concerns over export controls and access to advanced technologies.
Krishnan also reiterated India’s long-standing position on the regulation of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. He said India believes the current phase is one of innovation and development rather than strict regulation. While acknowledging that safeguards may become necessary in the future, he maintained that the country does not believe the time is right to impose extensive regulatory measures on the sector.
Referring to discussions on AI, Krishnan said US officials expressed concerns over the possible misuse and broader societal impact of advanced AI models. He noted that the American side is considering internal review mechanisms before such models are released. However, both countries recognised the importance of balancing technological innovation with responsible governance.
The MeitY Secretary also highlighted the importance of building resilient and diversified global supply chains, especially in light of lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. He cautioned against excessive dependence on a single supplier for critical technologies and stressed that countries should have multiple trusted and reliable sources of supply.
According to Krishnan, a diversified network comprising at least three or four dependable suppliers would strengthen the resilience of the global economy and reduce vulnerabilities arising from disruptions in trade or geopolitical tensions.
During the summit, Krishnan, along with Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs K. Nagraj Naidu, met Jacob Helberg, the US Under Secretary of State, who is leading the Pax Silica initiative. The initiative aims to establish alternative supply chains for critical minerals and rare earth elements, a sector where China currently holds a dominant position.
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in semiconductor manufacturing, expanding AI adoption, and ensuring secure access to critical minerals that are essential for advanced electronics, clean energy technologies, and defence applications. The Indian Embassy in Washington later stated that both sides explored opportunities to build diversified and trusted supply chains across these strategic sectors.
The Pax Silica initiative has gained momentum as countries seek to reduce dependence on concentrated supply sources for critical raw materials. The first Pax Silica Summit was held in December last year, while India formally joined the initiative in February during the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. The upcoming summit is expected to bring together member nations committed to creating alternative pathways for securing critical mineral supplies and strengthening cooperation in emerging technologies.
