In Feb 2026, India joined the Pax Silica Coalition, a US-led initiative . The purpose of this initiative is to _____________.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is option 4: both 1 and 2
The term "Pax Silica" refers to a "Silicon Peace," implying that global stability in the 21st century depends on a secure, transparent, and resilient technology supply chain.
The coalition was established to oversee the "Silicon Stack"—the entire lifecycle of advanced technology. Its primary objectives include:
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Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains: Member nations cooperate on chip design, fabrication (foundries), assembly, and testing. It aims to prevent disruptions like those seen during the global chip shortage.
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Securing Critical Minerals: The initiative focuses on the mining and processing of "high-tech" minerals like Lithium, Cobalt, and Rare Earth Elements (REEs), which are essential for semiconductors, high-end magnets, and EV batteries.
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Reducing Strategic Dependency: A major geopolitical goal is to move supply chains away from "countries of concern" (specifically China's dominance in mineral processing) and toward a "trusted-trader" network of democratic allies.