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India pitches quantum-computing collaboration with Russia under National Quantum Mission

Monday, 15 June 2026· 5 min read·Source: The Economic Times

India has pitched collaboration with Russia on quantum computing under its National Quantum Mission (NQM), at the first BRICS Quantum Technologies forum in Moscow, reported around June 15, 2026. The Indian Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, said the partnership would help India meet its NQM targets, which aim to build a complete national quantum ecosystem — including intermediate-scale quantum computers, communication networks, and quantum materials — and to develop India's own quantum computers by 2031. The roughly Rs 6,000 crore (~$730 million) mission positions India among nations racing to harness quantum technology for computing, secure communication and sensing.

Key Facts & Details

8 points

1
India proposed quantum-computing cooperation with Russia under the National Quantum Mission.
2
The pitch came at the first BRICS Quantum Technologies forum in Moscow.
3
The NQM aims to build a full quantum ecosystem and India's own quantum computers by 2031.
4
Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar made the proposal.
5
The NQM has an outlay of about Rs 6,000 crore (~$730 million).

Deep Dive

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Quantum computing uses quantum bits (qubits) to solve certain problems far faster than classical computers.
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The NQM also targets quantum communication, sensing/metrology and quantum materials.
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International collaboration helps share expertise and accelerate India's quantum goals.

Exam Focus

Under which mission did India pitch quantum-computing cooperation with Russia in June 2026?

Exam Relevance & Angle

The National Quantum Mission and India's tech diplomacy are sci-tech GA, tested on the mission's name, outlay and goals.

Target Exams

SBI POSBI ClerkIBPS POIBPS ClerkIBPS RRB OfficerIBPS RRB AssistantRBI Grade BNABARD Grade ASSC CGLSSC CHSLSSC CPORRB NTPCLIC AAOUPSC CSEState PCS

Background & Context

The National Quantum Mission (NQM), approved by the Union Cabinet in 2023 with an outlay of about Rs 6,000 crore for 2023-31, aims to seed and scale scientific and industrial R&D in quantum technologies and make India a leader in the field. It targets four areas: quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing & metrology, and quantum materials & devices, including developing intermediate-scale quantum computers. Quantum computing harnesses quantum-mechanical phenomena (superposition, entanglement) via qubits to tackle problems intractable for classical machines. India's outreach to Russia — a country with strong quantum research — and the BRICS quantum forum reflect growing science diplomacy in this strategic technology.