Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Friday highlighted the growing importance of technology partnership between India and the United States, as India joins the US-led Pax Silica initiative aimed at strengthening secure and resilient supply chains across critical technologies.
Speaking at a special event in the national capital to mark India’s participation in Pax Silica, Pichai described the US-India partnership as vital in shaping the future of Artificial Intelligence.
He said the world is on the cusp of a new era of rapid technological progress, but noted that positive outcomes are not guaranteed without collaboration. Pichai emphasised the need for countries to work together to ensure that the benefits of AI are widely accessible.
Referring to India’s AI potential, he said the country is poised for an extraordinary trajectory in the field. He stated that Google is supporting this growth through a full-stack commitment, including products, infrastructure, and scaling capabilities. The company, he said, is building AI solutions tailored for Indian consumers and businesses, and has contributed 22 Gemma models to the AI ecosystem. Google is also working with the government to deploy AI applications with real-world impact, including monsoon forecasting for farmers, screening for diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, and expanding access to information and services in multiple Indian languages.
Highlighting Google’s broader engagement in India, Pichai said AI-powered scam detection tools such as Circle to Search and Lens are widely used in the country. He noted that the Gemini app is available in 10 Indian languages and that YouTube continues to support Indian creators in sharing music, arts, and culture globally.
On skilling initiatives, Pichai said Google aims to equip 10 million future Indian leaders with AI capabilities through its AI Skill House programme. He also mentioned a partnership with Wadhwani AI to offer Google AI certification courses to students and early-career professionals.
In terms of infrastructure, Pichai referred to the previously announced USD 15 billion investment in Indian digital infrastructure, including the development of an AI hub in Visakhapatnam. The hub, he said, will house large-scale computing capacity and is expected to generate employment while expanding access to advanced AI technologies.
Pichai also spoke about strengthening digital connectivity between India and the United States. He referred to the recently announced India-America Connect initiative, which will establish new subsea cable routes linking the two countries and additional regions across the southern hemisphere. Combined with existing cable systems, he said, the initiative will expand digital trade routes and reinforce bilateral connectivity.
He underlined that such initiatives depend on stable and trusted supply chains, adding that products, subsea cables, and AI hubs rely on the seamless cross-border flow of goods and components.
Pax Silica, led by the US Department of State, focuses on ensuring secure AI and technology supply chains while promoting commercial partnerships among trusted partners. The Pax Silica Declaration highlights the role of reliable supply chains in advancing economic security and recognises AI as a transformative force for long-term prosperity.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and civil society representatives to deliberate on responsible AI governance and inclusive technological development. (ANI)
