The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India has released the inaugural edition of the International Technology Engagement Strategy for Quantum (ITES-Q), marking a pivotal step in advancing India’s strategic global engagement in Quantum Science, Technology, and Innovation (QSTI).
Unveiled by PSA Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood on World Quantum Day (April 14), the release coincides with the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQST) declared by the United Nations for 2025, adding international resonance to the announcement.
Supporting India’s Quantum Ambitions
The ITES-Q is designed to accelerate quantum discovery, foster innovation, and catalyse adoption across sectors by providing a foundational roadmap for domestic and international stakeholders. The strategy complements India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM) and ongoing ecosystem efforts, aiming to harmonise government, academia, and industry participation.
Speaking at the launch, Prof. Sood emphasised that “no country wants to be left behind in Quantum Tech,” underlining its importance for strategic autonomy. He noted, “India must reduce import dependence and invest in building domestic quantum hardware. Startups need stronger funding and a de-risked environment with created markets to drive product development.”
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Prof. Sood also pointed out the need for India to become an active contributor in defining global Quantum Tech standards, which will ensure long-term strategic autonomy and global competitiveness.
Inside the Strategy: Talent, Standards, and Global Positioning
The ITES-Q provides an extensive landscape analysis of both global and national quantum ecosystems. It covers investment trends, talent development, research output, IP generation, startup activity, and supply chain dynamics. It also highlights institutional strengths, with India’s hub-and-spoke model under NQM already mobilising 152 researchers from 43 institutions across 17 states and two Union Territories.
The report supports Indian diplomatic missions in facilitating impactful partnerships and will aid multilateral and bilateral engagements in QSTI. Prof. Sood reiterated that India’s engagement must not only scale internally but also be positioned for global leadership through standards and collaboration.
Strengthening India’s Quantum Tech Diplomacy
The strategy is part of a broader initiative led by the Office of the PSA to elevate India’s Technology Diplomacy. It aims to create pathways for joint innovation, reduce barriers to collaboration, and strategically align India’s growing research ecosystem with the global technology frontier.
With the release of ITES-Q, India has taken a decisive step toward shaping the global quantum narrative—positioning itself not only as a key participant but as a thought leader in quantum development, standardisation, and diplomacy.
