New Delhi, Feb 20: India on Friday formally joined the Pax Silica coalition at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, marking a major step in deepening strategic technology and supply chain cooperation with the United States.

The signing ceremony brought together senior leaders from both countries, reflecting a shared commitment to securing the full ìsilicon stackî that underpins the AI-driven global economy.

Pax Silica envisions a coalition of trusted nations working to safeguard the technology value chain, from critical minerals and semiconductor fabrication to advanced AI systems and deployment infrastructure.

The initiative aims to reduce overconcentration in global supply chains, prevent economic coercion, and ensure that emerging technologies are developed and governed by open and democratic societies.

Addressing the gathering, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said the summit represented more than a ceremonial event, describing it as an effort to build new foundations and opportunities for future generations.

Highlighting Indiaís long-term growth trajectory since Independence, he pointed to the countryís expanding semiconductor capabilities, noting that Indian engineers are designing cutting-edge two-nanometer chips. He added that the semiconductor sector is expected to require around one million skilled professionals, presenting a significant opportunity for India.

US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Jacob Helberg, described the declaration as a roadmap for a shared future.

He said the initiative signalled a rejection of ìweaponised dependencyî and highlights the idea that economic security is integral to national security.

Emphasising the coalitionís ambition, he said Pax Silica seeks to secure the entire technology stac: from minerals and silicon wafers to advanced AI systems, to ensure that the future is shaped by those who build it.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor termed Indiaís entry into Pax Silica both strategic and essential.

He described the coalition as one that could define the 21st century economic and technological order by securing the entire silicon stack, from mining critical minerals to chip fabrication and AI deployment in data centres.

He said the partnership reflects a choice by democratic societies to retain control over key sectors of the global economy.

The signing underscored a broader message at the summit: that the future of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies will be shaped deliberately by nations committed to openness, resilience and long-term cooperation.

Following the signing, a high-level fireside chat featured MeitY Secretary S Krishnan, Ambassador Sergio Gor, Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO of Micron Technology, and Randhir Thakur, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Electronics.

The discussion highlighted Indiaís coordinated push across AI, semiconductors and critical minerals, with an emphasis on resilient collaboration with trusted partners. Speakers stressed that the AI revolution is already underway and underlined the importance of building secure, diversified semiconductor supply chains to support global technological advancement.

New Delhi, Feb 20: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday clarified India’s decision to associate itself with a joint statement condemning Israeli expansion in the West Bank, after initially not being part of the initiative.

Responding to a question during a media briefing, the MEA spokesperson said, “you may be aware that this was not a negotiated document, as is usually the case in the UN. Our position on this issue was most recently expressed in the India-Arab League Ministerial Joint statement, which is as follows:

‘Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East, according to international law, relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. They called for a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine based on 1967 borders, living side by side in peace with Israel. Both parties supported the practice of inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.”

“In consonance with it, we have associated ourselves with the initiative keeping in mind the concerns addressed by the statement.” The clarification comes amid questions over India’s initial absence from the statement criticising Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and its subsequent decision to join it. India has consistently supported a negotiated two-state solution, backing the establishment of a sovereign and viable Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

New Delhi, Feb 20: Highways authority NHAI is considering discontinuing cash payments at highway toll plazas from April 1, requiring commuters to use only digital modes such as FASTag or UPI for toll payments.

Post implementation, all toll payments at National Highway fee plazas will be processed exclusively through digital modes, using FASTag or Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said.

The authority said it is contemplating completely discontinuing cash transactions at the National Highway fee plazas across the country from April 1, 2026, in order to develop a fully digital National Highway tolling ecosystem.

The proposed measure is aimed at consolidating the gains achieved in Electronic Toll Collection and strengthening the efficiency & reliability of National Highway fee plaza operations, it said.

The transition will help to enhance ‘Ease of Commuting’ for National Highway users by improving lane throughput, reducing congestion at fee plazas and bringing greater consistency and transparency in toll transactions.

In the past few years, over 98 per cent penetration of FASTag has significantly transformed toll collection practices in the country. At present, an overwhelming proportion of toll transactions are processed electronically through RFID-enabled FASTag affixed to vehicles, facilitating seamless and contactless movement across toll plazas.

In addition, UPI payment facilities have been operationalized at the National Highway toll plazas, ensuring availability of instant and accessible digital payment options for National Highway commuters nationwide.

As per National Highway fee rules, vehicles entering a fee plaza without a valid, functional FASTag are charged twice the applicable user fee, if the fee payment is made in cash. Whereas National Highway users who opt to pay via UPI are charged only 1.25 times of the user fee for the applicable vehicle category.

These initiatives have collectively advanced the objective of reducing dependency on cash transactions and digitizing the tolling framework.

Plaza-level assessments indicate that cash-based payments contribute to congestion, increased waiting times during peak traffic periods and transaction-related disputes.

A complete transition to digital only mode of payment will strengthen operational efficiency, improve traffic management, minimise delays and enhance overall National Highway user experience at over 1,150 fee plazas on various National Highways and Expressways in the country.