India is making strides to protect its digital links with the wider world. The nation’s reliance on submarine cables for internet connectivity and communication presents significant vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. As the global digital landscape increasingly depends on undersea cables, India’s approach to securing its submarine cable infrastructure has become a priority. Several key issues are at the forefront of India’s strategy to enhance submarine cable security, including the establishment of sovereign repair capacity, diversification of cable landing stations and promotion of domestic submarine cable links. However, in the face of rising strategic threats in the Indo-Pacific, efforts at establishing a domestic cable manufacturing capacity, response arrangements to seabed warfare and supporting connectivity amongst Indian Ocean nations should likewise be a priority.
Sovereign Indian-Flagged Submarine Cable Repair Capacity
Currently, India relies on foreign-flagged vessels for repairs within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which leads to delays and in turn increased vulnerability. The establishment of an Indian-flagged cable repair vessel will not only reduce dependency on foreign assets but will also provide the nation with the capability to respond swiftly to cable disruptions. Furthermore, an Indian-flagged repair capacity could be a diplomatic tool to assist neighboring nations in the Indian Ocean.
India’s efforts to ensure that cable repairs can be undertaken by domestic assets align with its broader push toward self-sufficiency in defense and critical infrastructure. This sovereign repair capability is particularly crucial in the event of natural disasters, multiple simultaneous breaks, or potential sabotage. Given the strategic importance of submarine cables for both economic and national security, timely repairs can mitigate otherwise lengthy disruptions to internet services, financial markets, and communications.
Geographic Spread of Cable Landing Stations
India’s cable infrastructure is concentrated in a few cities, particularly Chennai and Mumbai, which serve as key landing stations. However, the growing focus on diversifying the locations of cable landing stations is essential for improving the resilience of India’s submarine cable networks. In recent years, cities like Kochi, Trivandrum, and Tuticorin have been connected to submarine cables, with further expansion planned.
This geographic diversification is crucial for reducing vulnerability to localized disruptions and enhancing the redundancy of India’s network. In a scenario where one cable landing region faces a natural disaster or a grey-zone attack, having multiple, geographically dispersed landing stations ensures continued connectivity. Moreover, regional diversification supports the broader goal of bolstering India’s digital infrastructure and improving its position as a key player in global communications.
Connecting Indian Cities with (Domestic) Submarine Cables
To address vulnerabilities in its terrestrial fiber optic network, India is increasingly focused on connecting key cities and data centers via domestic submarine cables. This step is particularly important given the risks associated with terrestrial infrastructure, including natural disasters, accidents, and sabotage. Connecting major coastal cities directly via submarine cables will provide enhanced resilience against network failures and promote network resilience.
Domestic submarine cables will also help to foster a more interconnected and robust digital economy. By linking critical data centers and improving connectivity between urban and rural areas, India can enhance its ability to manage and scale its digital infrastructure effectively. By distributing data centers across the country, the immense electricity burden to power these centers can be likewise distributed.
Despite much progress in securing India’s submarine cable networks, various other emerging issues also require attention. For India to take a leading role in global submarine cable network connectivity and resilience, a regional approach is needed. Such an approach would consider bolstering India’s indigenous cable manufacturing capacity, considering seabed warfare incident responses and investing in Indian Ocean connectivity.
Indigenous Submarine Cable Component Manufacturing
India’s ambitions to strengthen its submarine cable security extend beyond infrastructure maintenance and repair. The country should consider indigenizing its submarine cable manufacturing supply chain, which currently relies on foreign suppliers. This move toward domestic manufacturing will not only enhance India’s self-reliance but will also mitigate risks associated with supply chain disruptions and foreign influence.
India should include efforts at indigenous submarine cable production as part of its broader push for “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India), which aims to reduce dependence on foreign countries for critical technology. Establishing a robust domestic supply chain will also enable India to maintain control over the quality, availability, and security of its submarine cables and components, further enhancing its resilience to external shocks.
Seabed Warfare and Strategic Threats in the Indo-Pacific
A growing concern in the strategic landscape is the potential for seabed warfare, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. As tensions rise between major powers, the threat of deliberate disruption to civilian submarine cables has become more pronounced. The experience in Europe, where there have been suspected incidents of underwater sabotage, serves as a reminder that seabed warfare is a real and renewed threat.
India needs to develop a strategy to secure its submarine cables in the face of these threats. This includes increasing monitoring and sensing of critical cable routes, enhancing maritime defense capabilities, and improving coordination with international partners, especially those of the Quad. The Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard (in coordination with other arms of government) should play a key role.
Supporting Indian Ocean Nations
India’s strategy must also consider its role in supporting connectivity projects in the Indian Ocean, and ensuring trusted suppliers are awarded projects over China-based firms. China’s expanding presence in the Indian Ocean, in part through infrastructure projects and submarine cable networks, poses a strategic challenge to India. By investing in connectivity to neighboring nations, India can strengthen its influence and promote data integrity amongst its neighbors. Australia, the United States and Japan have a strong record of cable network investments using trusted partners in the Pacific Ocean – a model that should be adapted and implemented in the Indian Ocean.
Supporting Indian Ocean nations with secure submarine cable connections not only counters China’s influence but also strengthens India’s position as a regional leader in digital infrastructure. Projects could be coordinated through India’s SAGAR or Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative programs.
Conclusion
As India’s submarine cable infrastructure continues to expand, addressing the challenges of repair capacity, landing station diversification, and domestic cable connectivity is critical for promoting digital resilience. However, further national efforts (in consultation and coordination with Quad partners) at domestic cable manufacturing, seabed warfare incident response and regional connectivity initiatives would cement India’s position as an Indian Ocean cable pacesetter and partner of choice.
This article was produced as part of a multi-year project being undertaken on submarine cable security by the Australia India Institute, with the support of an ‘Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership’ grant.
All views expressed in this article are those of the author only.