India has made a notable advancement in the field of quantum communication, indicating a possible transition towards real-time applications in quantum cyber security, as stated by the defense ministry.
They reported a successful demonstration of free-space quantum secure communication utilizing quantum entanglement over a distance greater than one kilometer, using a free-space optical link set up on the IIT-Delhi campus. With this milestone, officials remarked that India has entered a “new quantum era.” Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated both the DRDO and IIT-Delhi for this remarkable achievement. He noted that this progress represents a new chapter in secure communication that could be a “game-changer” in future warfare.
The defense ministry highlighted that this entanglement-assisted quantum secure communication enables real-time applications in quantum cyber security, including long-distance Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), the creation of quantum networks, and the potential quantum internet. The experiment reportedly achieved a secure key rate of nearly 240 bits per second, with a quantum bit error rate of less than 7 percent.
These developments are in line with India’s broader objectives to advance quantum technologies for the country’s growth. Under the initiative titled ‘Design and Development of Photonic Technologies for Free Space QKD,’ approved by the Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management (DFTM) of the DRDO, the demonstration was carried out by Professor Bhaskar Kanseri’s research team in the presence of senior officials from the DRDO, the Dean of R&D at IIT-Delhi, the Director of DIA-CoE, and various scientists from the DRDO.
Benefits of quantum communication
The statement indicates that QKD based on quantum entanglement presents significant advantages compared to conventional methods, greatly enhancing both security and functionality. It was explained that even if devices are compromised or flawed, the use of quantum entanglement ensures the security of key distribution. Any effort to measure or intercept the entangled photons disturbs the quantum state, enabling authorized users to identify any potential eavesdroppers.
The ministry emphasized that quantum communication offers fundamentally unbreakable encryption, classifying it as a dual-use technology. This technology has applications across strategic sectors, including defense, finance, and telecommunications, while also protecting communications related to national security.
They pointed out that free-space QKD removes the need for installing optical fibers, a process that can be both disruptive and expensive, especially in difficult terrains and densely populated urban areas.
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