SHAREShare to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to LinkedInShare to EmailPrint This PostWith ImagesWithout ImagesA global race is underway to unlock the transformative potential of quantum technology, the next major leap in human innovation. Governments around the world are strategically investing in research and development, whilebigtech firmsarepouring resources and talent into making thesecond quantum revolutiona reality. The technologywilloffera range of new computing, communications and sensingcapabilities, which have implications for civilian and military sectors.Thoughquantum technology isstill in its nascent stages,itspossibilities are vast,and synergy through international collaboration is critical to unlocking them.Thebilateral cooperationbetween India and Australiahas great potentialin this domain. Both countries have become major players in the quantum tech race, making significant strides inresearch, developmentand application,and the collaborativeprojectsestablishedbetween themso fararepromising.Domesticinitiatives by India and AustraliaIndialaunched theQuantum-enabled Science and Technologies initiativein 2019, which was followed bythe US$1.2 billionNational Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications, focusing on aerospace engineering, weather prediction, secure communications and cybersecurity. Although this mission is just getting off the ground, it hasspurredinterest in India’s tech ecosystem, driving it to build locally developed applications to solve real-world problems.Several scientific andacademic establishmentsacross India havetaken the initiative to establish dedicated in-house facilities and labs. These include theI-HUB Quantum Technology Foundationat the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, and aquantum technology labat the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Major corporations like Samsung,IBM, andTech Mahindraare collaborating withthem. The Indian military, with an eye on future defence and security needs, has alsoestablisheda quantum computing lab to realise the potential of quantum key distribution, communicationand computing.Australia hasunveilledseveral new initiatives, too.While itsofficial National Quantum Strategywaslaunchedin 2023,its pioneering research effortsstretch back much further. Australiahasalready producedmore than2,500PhDsin thefield, solidifying the country’s position asafront-runnerin quantum technology research and application. Last year, scientists at Sydney-based Silicon Quantum Computingbuiltthe first integrated silicon quantum computer chip,theresult oftwo decades ofresearch.The 2023 strategy focuses on building infrastructure, raisingaskilled workforce and developing quantum standards that align with Australian national interests. It seeks to do thisthroughcollaboration with the quantum industry,driving commercialisationto incentivise the growth ofquantum use cases,creating pipelines for investment in industry-ready quantum technologies and fostering innovation.India-Australia collaborationThe India-Australia collaboration on quantumtechnologydraws on the synergy of thesenational initiatives.At present, it ishappening within the larger framework of cyber and cyber-enabled critical technologies, whichalsoencompassesartificial intelligence and robotics.TheAustralia-India Strategic Research Fundisoneexample.It opensdoors forinstitutions in both countries to collaborate onresearch projects,such asthe Centre for Quantum Computing at the University of New South Walesand IISc Bengaluru,whicharetacklingthe problem of noise in quantum electronic devices. This has led to the discovery of a new state of matter, the development of new techniques for producing atomic-scale germanium and silicon transistors,and the repeated production of quantum electronic devices with the lowest levels of electrical noise to date.Collaboration across the private sector has been on the rise as well. Infosys haspartneredwith Australian quantum cybersecurity firm QuintessenceLabs to create a quantum random number generator which can work with classical encryption systems,therebysignificantly amplifying their cybersecurity capabilities. It is also working with Amazon Web Services, QuintessenceLabs and QCWare to set upQuantum Living Labs,which offers innovative solutionsto clientsby leveraging quantum computing technology.Another example isHCL Technologies,whichhascollaboratedwith Sydney Quantum Academy to provide students with quantum technology education and R&D opportunities.The researchcommunitiesin both countriesarealsoworking together. Through the Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership, the Observer Research Foundationin New Delhihaspartneredwith the Centre for International Security Studies of the University of Sydney to frame accords and guidelines for the ethical use of quantum technologies.Thisrequires amulti-stakeholder, multi-disciplinary approachthat combinessocial sciences, philosophyand pure sciences. Indeed, for thepasttwo years, the two partners have mobilised experts from universities, businesses, governmentsand think tanks through virtual workshops and symposia toexplorethe societal, ethicaland geopolitical ramifications of quantum innovations.They are nowworking tofinalise and distributeadigital book and a documentary filmabout these topics.Australia’s pioneering work in quantum technologyand itsgrowingpartnership with Indiapresenta golden opportunity forthe twonations to leapfrog ahead in this critical field. By pooling resources, expertiseand ambitions,theycan unlock the extraordinary potential of quantum technology,benefiting not only themselves buttheentireIndo-Pacificregion.