India Gains EU Support to Strengthen Security of Undersea Internet Cables

India and the European Union (EU) are joining forces to secure undersea internet cables in the Indian Ocean, which carry nearly 99% of global internet traffic. These vital cables connect continents, link countries, and form the backbone of global digital communication. Any damage or tampering could disrupt internet access worldwide.

According to ET Telecom, India and EU officials, along with representatives from several Indian Ocean countries, will meet this week to focus exclusively on protecting these submarine cables. The discussions come ahead of the annual India-EU summit scheduled for January 27 in Delhi. The meeting will map potential threats, enhance maritime security, and ensure a coordinated approach to safeguard these critical digital assets.

Why are these thick cables so important?
Submarine cables, laid on the seabed, carry almost all global internet traffic—Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Google, Netflix, and more rely on them. Satellites carry less than 1% of internet traffic. Major cables from India to Europe, America, Singapore, and the Middle East pass through the Indian Ocean, making this region strategically crucial for global connectivity.

The need for enhanced protection
With India’s 5G rollout nearly complete and the increasing role of AI requiring massive data flows, the importance of these undersea cables is only set to grow. These cables are vulnerable to damage or deliberate sabotage, and monitoring them is challenging. Any disruption could have severe global consequences.

Past incidents underline the risks
There have been multiple instances of tampering. For example, Houthi rebels in the Red Sea have cut undersea cables, and recently, cables connecting India and Pakistan were also interfered with, affecting internet services.

The EU has prepared an action plan for cable security, which, in partnership with India, will help strengthen protection measures in the Indian Ocean region and ensure global internet stability.