Congress questions India’s omission from US-led Pax Silica initiative, calls it a ‘missed opportunity’

The news concerning India's omission from the US-led 'Pax Silica' initiative, as highlighted by the Indian National Congress, brings to the forefront critical aspects of global geopolitics, economic strategy, and India's foreign policy. While specific details about 'Pax Silica' are not publicly available in the provided context, the name 'Silica' strongly implies a focus on semiconductors, microchips, or critical minerals essential for the electronics industry. 'Pax' suggests a structured order or framework. Therefore, it is reasonable to infer that 'Pax Silica' is a US-led initiative aimed at securing, diversifying, and possibly restructuring the global semiconductor supply chain, likely to reduce dependence on specific geopolitical rivals and enhance resilience among allied nations.

**Background Context: The Global Chip War and Supply Chain Resilience**

The backdrop to initiatives like 'Pax Silica' is the intense global competition for technological dominance, particularly in advanced semiconductors. Semiconductors are the foundational technology for almost all modern electronics, from smartphones to AI systems and defence equipment. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed severe vulnerabilities in global supply chains, leading to widespread chip shortages that crippled industries worldwide. This, coupled with escalating geopolitical tensions, especially the US-China tech rivalry, has prompted major powers to prioritize 'de-risking' and 'friend-shoring' their supply chains. The US, aiming to regain its manufacturing edge and counter China's growing technological prowess, has been actively forging alliances and investing heavily in its domestic semiconductor industry through acts like the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

**What Happened: India's Omission and Congress's Concerns**

The core issue is India's exclusion from this presumably crucial US-led framework. The Indian National Congress, as the principal opposition party, seized upon this, characterizing it as a 'missed opportunity'. This suggests that the initiative is perceived to offer significant strategic or economic advantages to its participants, from which India is now excluded. The Congress's critique implies a potential lapse in India's diplomatic engagement or a miscalculation in its foreign policy strategy, questioning the government's ability to secure India's interests in vital international platforms.

**Key Stakeholders and Their Motivations**

1. **United States**: As the leader of 'Pax Silica', the US's primary motivation is likely geopolitical and economic. It seeks to consolidate a reliable semiconductor ecosystem among its allies, ensuring national security, technological leadership, and economic stability. This aligns with its broader strategy of countering China's influence and building resilient supply chains.

2. **India**: India has ambitious plans to become a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing and design, evidenced by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) launched in 2021 with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore. Its interest lies in attracting investments, acquiring technology, building domestic capacity, and integrating into global value chains. Exclusion from 'Pax Silica' could potentially hinder these aspirations.

3. **Indian National Congress**: As an opposition party, its motivation is to hold the government accountable for its foreign policy decisions and highlight perceived shortcomings. By calling it a 'missed opportunity', Congress aims to underscore the potential economic and strategic disadvantages for India.

**Significance for India: A 'Missed Opportunity'?**

India's omission from 'Pax Silica' carries significant implications. Economically, it could mean reduced access to critical technology, investment, and collaborative research and development opportunities within a US-led ecosystem. This might slow down India's progress in achieving its 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) goals in the semiconductor sector. Strategically, it raises questions about the depth of India-US cooperation in critical technology areas despite robust bilateral ties and multilateral engagements like the Quad. India aims for strategic autonomy and a multi-aligned foreign policy, but exclusion from such initiatives could limit its options or influence in shaping global tech governance.

**Historical Context and India's Strategic Autonomy**

Historically, India has pursued a foreign policy rooted in strategic autonomy, initially through non-alignment during the Cold War. In the contemporary multi-polar world, India continues to balance relationships with various global powers. However, the nature of critical technology supply chains demands closer alignment with trusted partners. India's current foreign policy navigates between maintaining good relations with all major powers while forging deeper strategic partnerships, particularly with the US, on issues like defence and technology. The 'Pax Silica' situation tests India's ability to integrate into crucial global frameworks while safeguarding its independent foreign policy principles.

**Future Implications and Constitutional/Policy Frameworks**

India's response to this omission will be crucial. It could intensify bilateral dialogues with the US to understand the reasons for exclusion and explore alternative modes of engagement. Simultaneously, India must redouble efforts to strengthen its domestic semiconductor ecosystem through the India Semiconductor Mission and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. This involves attracting global majors, fostering local talent, and investing in R&D. India might also explore forming its own consortia or engaging with other like-minded countries.

While no specific constitutional article directly governs participation in such an initiative, India's foreign policy is guided by the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), particularly **Article 51**, which mandates the State to 'endeavour to promote international peace and security', 'maintain just and honourable relations between nations', and 'foster respect for international law'. India's engagement in international economic and strategic initiatives aligns with these principles, aiming to secure national interests and contribute to a stable global order. The efficacy of policies like the National Policy on Electronics 2019 and various industrial promotion schemes will be key in mitigating the impact of such exclusions and building indigenous capabilities.

In essence, India's exclusion from 'Pax Silica' serves as a critical juncture, prompting a re-evaluation of its strategy for integrating into global technology supply chains and asserting its role in the evolving international technological order.