New Delhi

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has reacted to India being left out of the US-led Pax Silica initiative, attributing the exclusion to the deteriorating relationship between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi since May 10, 2025. He added that India would have gained significantly if it had been included in the multilateral project.

In a post on X, Ramesh noted that the initiative, designed to limit Chinese influence over high-tech supply chains, currently involves the US, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the UK, Israel, the UAE, and Australia. “Given the sharp downturn in Trump-Modi ties since May 10, it is perhaps not surprising that India is absent. Undoubtedly, inclusion would have been advantageous for us,” he wrote.

Ramesh also questioned the timing, pointing out that the news followed shortly after PM Modi described his recent phone call with Trump as “warm” and “engaging.” He highlighted the contrast between Modi’s public camaraderie with Trump and India’s exclusion from the initiative.

Pax Silica, spearheaded by the US Department of State, focuses on artificial intelligence and supply chain security, aiming to create a resilient silicon supply chain covering critical minerals, energy inputs, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and logistics. The initiative also seeks to reduce coercive dependencies, safeguard essential AI-related materials, and enable partner nations to develop transformative technologies at scale.

Prime Minister Modi had earlier described his phone conversation with Trump as a constructive discussion, reviewing progress in India-US bilateral ties and exchanging views on regional and global developments. “India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability, and prosperity,” Modi wrote on X.

The two leaders also assessed the progress of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and expressed satisfaction over the strengthening of cooperation across multiple sectors.

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Despite these positive diplomatic interactions, India’s absence from the Pax Silica grouping has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, highlighting tensions in the bilateral relationship.