Underwater Vulnerability: India’s Digital Achilles’ Heel

India is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most wired nations, yet it lacks control over the critical infrastructure that connects it to the global internet. The country relies on a handful of submarine cables crisscrossing the ocean floor between Europe and Asia.

In Mumbai’s Versova neighborhood, 13 out of India’s 18 intercontinental submarine cables converge within six kilometers of each other. These cables carry 95% of India’s international bandwidth to West Asia, Africa, and Europe. While experts note that traffic can be rerouted through other landing points in cities like Chennai and Kochi, even minor disruptions could have significant consequences for businesses and government networks.

India’s reliance on these cables is not unique; they are a crucial component of the global internet infrastructure. However, the country’s limited share of submarine cables and its dependence on foreign repair capacity set it apart. An estimated 150-200 cable faults occur globally each year, often caused by accidental damage rather than deliberate sabotage, highlighting the need for robust repair mechanisms.

India lacks domestic subsea cable-repair ships, forcing repair vessels to be dispatched from abroad and obtain permission to operate in Indian waters. This dependence on foreign capacity further exacerbates an already lengthy process. Experts warn that this fundamental weakness could have far-reaching consequences for India’s digital economy.

India’s challenges extend beyond mere repair capacity. The industry struggles to keep pace with AI-driven demand, which is surging rapidly. New subsea and terrestrial capacity must be built quickly to meet this growing need, but planning and laying cables can take years. The rapid expansion of data centers in India has complicated matters further, creating a potential mismatch between available bandwidth and burgeoning demand.

At the heart of these challenges lies India’s bureaucratic complexities. Setting up a cable landing station requires navigating a labyrinthine process involving multiple agencies and ministries. Aruna Sundararajan, chairperson of the Broadband India Forum, notes that “a core issue is fragmented governance, not a lack of technical capability.” Her call for a single-window clearance system recognizes the need for reform.

The implications of India’s underwater vulnerability are severe. As the country grows its digital economy and services sector, it must also address these fundamental weaknesses. Failure to do so could have significant consequences for businesses and government networks, as well as India’s reputation as a reliable partner in the global digital landscape. The need for robust repair mechanisms, strategic planning, and streamlined governance is clear – but can India’s policymakers rise to the challenge?

India’s underwater Achilles’ heel remains a pressing concern that demands attention and action from policymakers, industry leaders, and citizens alike.