PM Modi Highlights India’s 5.56-Km Free-Space Quantum-Secure Communication Breakthrough

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted India’s successful demonstration of its first free-space quantum-secure communication link spanning more than 5.5 km.

In a post shared by the PMO India, the Prime Minister welcomed the achievement, describing it as an important development in the country’s quantum technology capabilities.

India successfully demonstrates its first free space quantum-secure communication link for over 5.5 km

https://t.co/3grflCeaw0

via NaMo App https://t.co/CmKTLj3bNL

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 6, 2026

The demonstration was carried out by QNu Labs in collaboration with BISAG-N and IIT Gandhinagar.

The 5.56-km Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) link transmitted quantum information through open air using photons, offering an alternative to conventional fibre-optic networks.

The system recorded a quantum bit error rate of below five per cent while generating secure cryptographic keys at 230–260 bits per second.

The technology combines QKD with post-quantum cryptography to provide an additional layer of protection for encrypted communications and address emerging threats posed by quantum computing.

Free-space quantum communication could prove particularly useful in locations where laying physical fibre networks is difficult because of geographical or infrastructure constraints. It could eventually support longer-distance communication links and contribute to the development of satellite-based quantum networks.

The demonstration marks a significant step in India’s efforts to build quantum-resilient digital infrastructure.

By integrating QKD with post-quantum cryptography, the technology strengthens the foundation for secure communications capable of addressing both current and future cybersecurity challenges.

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