US Under Secretary of Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg expressed strong enthusiasm for partnering with India on the Pax Silica initiative during the 2nd Pax Silica Summit in Washington DC. India was among the first top 10 countries to join the initiative, and Helberg noted the US-India relationship as one of the most consequential bilateral partnerships of the 21st century.
Key Announcements at the Summit
Helberg unveiled two major initiatives: PaxPass and Foundry School. PaxPass is a platform designed to streamline the movement of critical AI goods by combining cargo verification, AI-powered risk assessment, and pre-approved expedited processing for trusted shipments. The US committed $50 million in foreign assistance funding for its development and deployment. Foundry School, a workforce development initiative in partnership with Stanford University, aims to train entrepreneurs, engineers, and advanced manufacturing leaders across Pax Silica economies. It will begin with a seminar series at Stanford and later develop a curriculum for institutions in partner countries.
Bilateral Discussions with India
Helberg highlighted productive bilateral exchanges with India covering the Quad, the trust initiative, and practical collaborations with the Indian business sector. On Wednesday, MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan met with Helberg to deepen technological cooperation, focusing on building diversified and trusted supply chains in semiconductor manufacturing, AI adoption, and securing access to critical minerals.
Impact on Supply Chain Resilience
Helberg emphasized that PaxPass will reduce friction, strengthen supply chain resilience, and accelerate trusted trade. He stated, "We're putting our resources behind our vision and demonstrating that trusted partnership is backed by real investment." The initiatives aim to create a connected ecosystem where investment, innovation, and trusted production reinforce one another across partner countries.
