India’s Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Japan’s Cabinet Office have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on cooperation in quantum science and technology in order to open new avenues for collaboration in next-generation technologies.
This took place during a meeting in New Delhi between Ms. Kimi Onoda, Japan’s Minister for Science & Technology Policy and Minister of State for Space Policy, and Dr. Jitendra Singh, India’s Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space.
The LoI was signed as part of a broader initiative to advance India-Japan strategic partnership in science, technology and innovation, with a strong focus on emerging and critical technologies. During the event, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the field of health and medical devices was also signed, between the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
During the discussions, both sides exchanged detailed views on strengthening cooperation under India’s National Quantum Mission, which is advancing an integrated approach across quantum computing, communication, sensing and materials, along with progress in long-distance quantum secure communication networks.
Japan shared insights on its network of quantum innovation hubs, including global initiatives aimed at industrialisation and standardisation of quantum technologies, and expressed interest in building linkages with Indian institutions. Both sides discussed enhancing collaboration between research hubs in India and Japan to accelerate innovation and technology deployment. The discussions also covered ongoing initiatives such as researcher mobility and joint innovation platforms, including programmes that enable Indian researchers to undertake collaborative research and industry internships in Japan. Both sides acknowledged the value of such initiatives in strengthening academic and industrial linkages.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, “India and Japan share a natural synergy in science and technology. While Japan brings advanced technological capabilities, India offers a vast pool of talented human resources. Together, we can accelerate innovation in frontier areas and translate research into impactful societal outcomes.”
The Minister added that India’s expanding national missions in Quantum Technologies, Cyber-Physical Systems, Electric Mobility, Clean Energy and Advanced Computing reflect the country’s strong push towards deep-tech sectors, creating new opportunities for joint research, co-development and industrial partnerships.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Onoda said she appreciated India’s rapid economic growth and its strong commitment to innovation, particularly the large-scale adoption of artificial intelligence across sectors. She shared that her visit to India, including interactions with academic institutions, reflected a strong culture of resilience among young researchers, with the ability to learn from failure and continue pursuing innovation.
She then highlighted that Japan’s strengths in advanced manufacturing and computational technologies, including quantum and AI, align closely with India’s expanding technology ecosystem. She expressed confidence that the agreements exchanged during the meeting, particularly in quantum technologies and health research, will promote deeper collaboration spanning research, application and industrial deployment.
