India Joins Pax Silica and Supports US Mineral Initiative

The United States invited India to join the Pax Silica initiative to leverage the nation's technical talent and scale in competing with China. US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg announced the invitation during the Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, D.C., noting that India is the only other country capable of rivaling China's volume of technically trained talent.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the ministerial, which was convened by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and attended by over 50 countries. During the event, Jaishankar confirmed that India supports the Forum on Resource, Geostrategic Engagement, a new initiative succeeding the US-led Mineral Security Partnership.

To further solidify these strategic ties, Jaishankar held bilateral meetings with Secretary Rubio and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Helberg is scheduled to travel to India later in February to finalize a major signing with the Indian government aimed at deepening cooperation in critical minerals.