Quantum Technology Breakthrough: 5 Ways India-Taiwan Partnership is Shaping the Future

India and Taiwan have a unique opportunity to collaborate in quantum technology (QT), a field poised to be as transformative as semiconductors. Taiwan, already a leader in semiconductor innovation, has been making significant strides in QT with major investments in quantum computing, communication, and cryptography. India, through its $730 million National Quantum Mission, is also advancing in these areas but faces export restrictions from leading nations. A partnership with Taiwan could help India bypass these hurdles while strengthening Taiwan’s position in emerging tech sectors.

Joint research, academic exchanges, and business collaborations between Indian and Taiwanese startups can accelerate progress. Expanding the India-Taiwan Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology to include QT would further deepen ties. Taiwan’s semiconductor expertise and India’s advancements in quantum communication make them ideal partners. Strengthening cooperation in QT could not only drive technological breakthroughs but also enhance diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations.

Quantum Technology Breakthrough: 5 Ways India-Taiwan Partnership is Shaping the Future

Quantum technology (QT) is rapidly evolving and is set to become as essential as semiconductors in the modern world. Taiwan, already a leader in semiconductor advancements, is now making strong moves in the QT sector. This presents India with an opportunity to collaborate with Taiwan, especially as it seeks ways to work around export restrictions imposed by global tech leaders like the United States and China. A strategic partnership in QT could not only accelerate technological advancements for both nations but also strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.

Taiwan’s Progress in Quantum Technology

Recognizing the potential of QT, Taiwan has made it a key focus area. In 2021, the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) established the Taiwan Quantum Program Office (TQPO) to drive research and development. This initiative gained further momentum in 2022 with the formation of the National Quantum Team, backed by a five-year investment of $259 million. The program unites experts from academia, the private sector, and government agencies, focusing on areas such as quantum computing hardware, optics, software, and applications.

Taiwan has already achieved significant breakthroughs in QT. In early 2024, Academia Sinica introduced the nation’s first domestically developed quantum computer with five superconducting qubits. Later that year, researchers at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) built the world’s smallest quantum computer using a single photon. Additionally, the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute (TSRI) acquired a five-qubit superconducting quantum computer from Finnish company IQM Quantum Computers.

In quantum communication, Taiwan has been making strides as well. In 2019, NTHU successfully demonstrated Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with a self-developed single-photon source. This achievement led to the establishment of Taiwan’s first quantum-secure communication network in 2023. Taiwan is also focusing on Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) to tackle cybersecurity threats, with contributions from Academia Sinica and Taipei-based Chelpis Quantum Corp, which has been actively engaged in global PQC research.

The Benefits of India-Taiwan Collaboration

India and Taiwan both stand to gain significantly from closer cooperation in QT. India has launched the National Quantum Mission (NQM), an ambitious $730 million initiative aimed at developing quantum computing, communication, sensors, and materials. To accelerate research, India has also established four specialized Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) across premier institutions.

One of India’s biggest challenges in QT development is the stringent export restrictions imposed by the US, China, and the European Union. A partnership with Taiwan could help India navigate these constraints. Additionally, as global efforts to establish semiconductor supply chains independent of China intensify, applying similar strategies to QT would be highly beneficial. The US has already begun supporting Taiwan’s QT sector through Quantum Design International, a company manufacturing dilution refrigerators—key components in quantum computing and communication.

For Taiwan, diversifying into QT is a strategic move. While its semiconductor expertise has given it an economic and geopolitical edge, the shift toward independent supply chains threatens to diminish this advantage. Expanding into QT will help Taiwan sustain its leadership in high-tech industries.

India’s growing semiconductor sector and its recent collaborations with Taiwanese firms like Foxconn and Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) highlight a strengthening tech partnership. While Taiwan is still in the early stages of QT development, it can benefit from India’s expertise in quantum communication and sensing. The potential applications of these technologies create compelling reasons for deeper collaboration.

Pathways for Collaboration

Since QT research is still in its early stages, joint R&D programs will play a crucial role. India and Taiwan already have an established framework for scientific cooperation through the 2007 India-Taiwan Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology. Expanding this agreement to include QT research would be a logical next step. Both countries’ top science agencies—the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in India and NSTC in Taiwan—are already driving national quantum initiatives, making collaboration easier.

Academic partnerships would also be valuable. Leading institutions such as Academia Sinica and NTHU in Taiwan, and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in India, could establish joint research projects and exchange programs. A model similar to the Quantum Entanglement Exchange Programme between India and the US could be developed.

Taiwan has already launched a Science and Technology Hub at Stanford University to promote research and innovation. A similar hub at one of India’s NQM Thematic Hubs could facilitate greater engagement in QT.

In the PQC space, Indian startups like QNu Labs are making significant advancements, much like Taiwan’s Chelpis. Encouraging partnerships between such firms could further enhance QT development.

Strengthening Diplomatic Relations

Since India and Taiwan formally established diplomatic ties in 1995, their relationship has steadily grown. A collaborative effort in QT could further strengthen these relations by fostering technological cooperation and strategic partnerships. Leaders in both countries acknowledge the importance of QT, making this an ideal time to expand cooperation.

By joining forces, India and Taiwan can accelerate innovation in QT, contribute to global technological advancements, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations in other emerging technologies.