US and India Strengthen Strategic Partnership at Pax Silica Summit

U.S. Under Secretary of Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg said the United States and India share one of the most consequential bilateral relationships of the 21st century. Speaking at the second Pax Silica Summit in Washington, Helberg highlighted joint progress on the Quad, digital‑trust standards and deep‑tech supply‑chain collaboration, emphasizing the partnership’s role in reducing reliance on China for semiconductors and critical minerals.

India’s Deputy Chief of Mission to the United States, Namgya C. Khampa, echoed the sentiment, describing the India‑US tie as a defining strategic partnership despite occasional differences. Khampa noted ongoing negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement, expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum communications and energy, and cited the 10‑year defence framework signed last year. Both officials stressed that technology, trade and defence cooperation, together with the Quad grouping, are shaping the next phase of the relationship.