Bengaluru, 24 Feb

Calling for stronger global collaboration in emerging technologies, Karnataka Minister NS Boseraju on Tuesday urged BRICS nations to work together to accelerate the development of quantum technologies.

Speaking at a high-level meeting at Vidhana Soudha with a Brazilian delegation led by Esther Dweck, the Brazilian Minister of Management and Innovation in Public Services, Boseraju proposed convening a BRICS Quantum Summit to institutionalise cooperation.

He said the other international groupings, like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are already organising dedicated quantum summits.

“BRICS must collaborate to harness quantum technology in areas like agriculture, pharmaceutical research, water resource management, climate forecasting, and flood mitigation. A BRICS Quantum Summit could serve as a platform to jointly address developmental challenges,” he said in a statement.

The BRICS includes Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.

Highlighting Karnataka’s achievements, Boseraju said the state is home to India’s "first indigenously built" commercial quantum computer.

He outlined the government’s roadmap, including a proposed USD 100 million Quantum Innovation Fund and the development of a dedicated Quantum City in Bengaluru.

“Our goal is to build a USD 20 billion quantum economy by 2035,” he said.