Russian Organizations Look to India for Collaboration on Quantum Computing
That Russian Quantum Center (RQC), a private organization in Russia, aims to build partnerships with Indian academic and research institutions as part of its strategy to develop quantum applications and hardware for public services, as revealed by Ruslan Yunusov, CEO and co-founder of RQC. He mentioned that the Russian government will formally raise this issue in the Brics forum (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). Although no official contracts or partnerships have been signed yet, discussions on potential collaborations between scientists from the two countries are promising and mutually interesting.
During the Future Technologies Forum on July 13, attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was covered by The Quantum Insider this week, the Russian leader expressed the hope of discussing special projects with Indian partners, particularly in cutting-edge computing technologies, data processing, storage, and transmission technologies. Putin also proposed a “national technology project” for 2030, focusing on creating a roadmap for the development of Russian quantum technology.
However, due to heightened geopolitical tensions, the prospects for this collaboration remain uncertain. Indian government officials have reported that several Russian delegations have visited various Indian agencies and government-affiliated departments over the past six months, but no real agreement has been reached. A senior member of India’s research agency confirmed that while discussions about possible collaborations have been made before, no official announcement has been made yet. Nonetheless, it is not uncommon for the scientific community and research institutes in India to engage in such discussions with other countries, including the European Union. Whether any of these discussions will lead to a formal collaborative project depends on factors such as geopolitics and international relations.
Aleksey Akimov, principal investigator at RQC, expressed Russia’s interest in several areas of cooperation with India to enhance quantum computing capabilities. They have built a 32-qubit quantum computer and are seeking technical expertise from India to set common standards in various aspects of quantum computing. Even though it involves national security issues, Akimov believes that countries can collaborate on quantum computing by building their own solutions and standards while working on a stable shared technology platform.
For example, both countries are exploring the possibility of offering quantum computing services via the cloud to commercialize the technology. Such collaborations take time to develop, but they have potential benefits for both countries.
India has attracted interest from countries, including the European Union, for its capabilities in various technological fields, including its own functional quantum computer. The National Quantum Mission announced earlier this year further enhances India’s standing in the global quantum landscape.
RQC aims to promote not only governmental but also institutional cooperation with India. The organization is currently engaged with Indian universities to explore potential areas of joint technology development and partnerships. RQC recognizes India’s existing strengths in various fields of quantum computing and seeks ways to identify shared strengths and develop collaborative projects accordingly.
