PRATEEK TRIPATHI
In the case of Taiwan, the expertise it has developed in semiconductor technology has paid enormous dividends by providing it with significant economic leverage to ward off constant threats from China. However, given the global push for establishing independent semiconductor supply chains, Taiwan stands to lose this advantage sooner rather than later. Establishing its roots in a foundational technology like QT can ensure it maintains its strategically important position in the future.
With India’s recent foray into semiconductors and its ensuing collaboration with Taiwanese companies such as Foxconn and Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC), the Indian-Taiwanese technology cooperation has picked up steam.
Both India and Taiwan stand to gain from a partnership over quantum technology
Despite its recent attempts to develop the technology, Taiwan is still a relative newcomer in QT and stands to benefit from India’s experience in the field. Given Taiwan’s background in semiconductor technology, collaboration in developing quantum computers based on semiconductor qubits seems like an obvious choice for both nations. India has demonstrated its capabilities in QTs such as quantum communication and quantum sensing, aspects of QT yet to be advanced in Taiwan. The numerous potential applications of these technologies serve to provide even further motivation for Taiwan to pursue QT collaboration with India.
Methods of engagement
As a consequence of its novelty, research and development (R&D) is the focal point in the development of QT, which in turn requires significant investment and talent. Promoting joint R&D programmes is, therefore, of prime importance. The India-Taiwan Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology was established in 2007 to provide financial support for R&D projects in areas like semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and aerospace. Including QT within this framework would prove to be prudent, considering the Department of Science and Technology and NSTC are the nodal agencies for the programme. The aforementioned two agencies serve as the nodal agencies for quantum initiatives in their respective countries as well, namely, the NQM and National Quantum Team.
Academic exchanges between institutions pursuing QT on either side would also be beneficial. For instance, exchange programmes between Taiwanese institutions like Academia Sinica and NTHU, and Indian institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISC) Bengaluru, would be particularly useful. These could be built along the lines of the already established Quantum Entanglement Exchange Programme between India and the US. It would also facilitate joint publications on QT between the two countries, which would accelerate the development of the technology.
The NSTC established the Taiwan Science and Technology Hub at Stanford University in 2023 to promote research, startups, and talent cultivation. It can consider doing the same in one of the aforementioned T– Hubs created under the NQM, with a specific focus on QT. In the domain of PQC, India also possesses startups such as QNu Labs, which have done significant work in the field, similar to Chelpis in Taiwan. Business-to-business collaborations between these entities also present a viable opportunity for QT collaboration.
Conclusion
Formally established in 1995, the diplomatic relations between India and Taiwan remain relatively nascent. In this context, QT collaboration can have the added effect of strengthening the growing diplomatic relations and cooperation between the two. Leaders of both nations, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, have acknowledged the importance QT holds for their respective nations. As such, both India and Taiwan are in an opportune position to further collaborate in this field, paving the way for stronger diplomatic ties in the future.