Editorial 1: ​​​Strengthening the U.S.-India subsea cable agenda

Context

It is important to strengthen the region’s digital resilience and to move forward with common strategic and business goals.

Introduction

Trade between India and the United States is growing quickly in many areas, not just with a soon-to-happen trade agreement. Both governments are cooperating closely on important strategic sectors because they agree on the need to diversify and reduce risks in technology supply chains, especially in today’s unstable world. This work includes improving the Technology for Resilient, Open and Unified Security and Trust (TRUST) framework, which builds on the earlier U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

Key Developments in U.S.-India Digital Cooperation and Subsea Cable Infrastructure

• Presidential Visit and Trade AgreementL: Later this year, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit India for the Quad Summit involving India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S. Before this meeting, the first part of a bilateral trade agreement between India and the U.S. will be signed, creating a strong foundation for increased cooperation in digital technologies and markets.
• Focus on Subsea Cables: Subsea cables, which form the physical backbone of the global Internet, are becoming a key area of attention. These cables handle more than 95% of international data traffic, supporting almost all digital communications. After landing, they connect directly to users or to data centres that support cloud services and vital infrastructure.
• Strategic Importance of Trusted Subsea Infrastructure: China’s rapid growth in subsea cable infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific through its Digital Silk Road Initiativehighlights the urgent need for trusted alternative networks to maintain regional security and stability.

India-U.S. Partnership on Subsea Cable Systems

• A strong India-U.S. commitment to build resilient and secure subsea cable systems would benefit the whole world.
• The TRUST framework highlights India’s growing role as a security provider in the Indo-Pacific and supports investing in subsea cable infrastructure with trusted vendors.

India’s Current Subsea Cable Status

Aspect	India	Singapore
Number of subsea cables	17 (some under construction)	26
Size	Much larger coastline	Much smaller coastline
Goal	Become a regional connectivity hub	Already well-connected

• India has a long 11,098 km coastline and a fast-growing digital economy, making it well-positioned to be a regional hub.
• However, India has fewer subsea cables compared to smaller countries like Singapore, so this needs to improve.

Cable Landing Stations and Network Diversification

• India’s coastline forms nearly two-thirds of its boundary, but 15 of 17 international subsea cables land in just a 6 km area in Mumbai.
• Cable landing stations are located in only five cities: Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Tuticorin, and Thiruvananthapuram.
• There is a need to diversify landing stations to reduce risks from natural disasters, human errors, or sabotage.

Importance of Network Redundancy

• A spread-out network increases redundancy, meaning if one cable is damaged, data can be rerouted through others.
• Example: In 2024, Houthi rebels damaged subsea cables in the Red Sea, forcing India to reroute traffic to avoid disruptions.
• If a similar incident happens near India, it could cause major communication failures domestically and internationally.

Strategic Location of India in Subsea Cable Networks

• Subsea cable routes often follow historical maritime trade routes.
• India is located between Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa, near important maritime choke points like the Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, and Bab-el-Mandeb.
• This strategic position makes India a natural hub for global cable networks.

Growing Broadband Demand and Regional Connectivity

Parameters
Region with fastest broadband growth	India is at the center of a region with rapid broadband expansion, including economies in Africa, Asia, and Indonesia.
Cable junction	India acts as a main junction for almost all Africa-Asia and Europe-Asia subsea cables.
Domestic bandwidth growth	India’s bandwidth demand is expected to grow by 38% from 2021 to 2028, driven by increased data use and data centre investments.

Strategic Importance of India’s Digital Infrastructure

• The U.S. policy focuses on countering Beijing’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.
• India’s digital infrastructure, especially subsea cables, is a key frontline asset that needs to be strengthened and protected in this strategic context.

India’s Need to Improve Investment Environment

• India must reduce entry barriers to encourage more investment in subsea cables.
• The current licensing process is very complicated, requiring over 50 clearances from different government ministries.
• India depends on foreign-flagged cable repair ships, mainly from Singapore and Dubai, which take 3 to 5 months to respond to cable outages due to long travel and complex clearance processes involving customs, naval permissions, and crew approvals.
• These delays cause commercial losses and need to be addressed.

Role of the United States in Enhancing Digital Infrastructure

Investment Areas	Details
Financial support	U.S. should provide concessional finance and technical help for cable diversification and cybersecurity.
Encouraging U.S. companies	U.S. firms should be encouraged to take leading roles in subsea cable projects.
Example project	Meta’s 50,000-km undersea cable project to improve Indian Ocean connectivity, connecting five continents, as announced in the U.S.-India Joint Leaders’ Statement (Feb 2025).

Building Domestic Repair Capacity

• Developing a domestic subsea cable repair ecosystem is essential, including building repair depots and Indian-flagged repair vessels.
• This effort should be included under the TRUST framework to strengthen India’s digital infrastructure security and responsiveness.

Conclusion

Finally, better subsea cable cooperation will support the larger U.S.-India trade deal being negotiated, as it is based on stronger technology collaboration. Quick progress in these areas will boost the region’s digital resilience and help achieve shared strategic and business goals.

Editorial 2: Monsoon woes

Context                

The Northeast states require a long-term strategy to manage flooding effectively.

Introduction

The monsoon season marks a crucial period for India’s economy but also brings severe challenges, especially for the Northeast states. With the arrival of the Bay of Bengal branch, heavy rains trigger frequent floods and landslides, causing widespread damage and loss of life. This demands urgent attention to mitigate adverse impacts while sustaining economic benefits.

Monsoon Overview and Impact

• The southwest monsoon has arrived with heavy rains, causing significant destruction.
• The monsoon’s arrival from Kerala and movement northward is celebrated due to its positive economic impact.
• This movement mainly involves the Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon.

Dual Branches of the Monsoon

Branch	Origin	Route	Impact
Arabian Sea Branch	Kerala	Moves northwards through west India	Generally positive for economy
Bay of Bengal Branch	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	Enters northeastern States, then eastern States	Often causes floods and landslides

• The Bay of Bengal branch typically follows shortly after or simultaneously with the Arabian Sea branch.
• It affects the northeastern and eastern States first.
• This branch frequently causes floods and landslides — a pattern repeated this year.

Current Situation in the Northeast

• Assam:
  • Ten major rivers are flowing above danger levels.
  • Over 300,000 people across 19 districts affected by floods.
• Tripura:
  • Heavy to very heavy rainfall over the weekend.
  • Expected to experience extremely heavy rainfall throughout the week.
• Casualties:
  • Total deaths due to rain-induced disasters in the Northeast stood at 30 until May 29.
  • On May 31 alone, 22 people lost their lives due to landslides, floods, flash floods, and lightning.
• North Sikkim:
  • Landslides have stranded approximately 1,500 tourists.
  • Key arterial roads blocked due to continuous rains.
  • A tragic incident where a bus fell into the swollen Teesta River, resulting in at least 2 deaths; others remain missing.

Future Outlook and Challenges

• The monsoon season is just beginning (only June).
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts an ‘above normal’ monsoon this year.
• The northeastern States might receive less than their normal rainfall, but since their base monsoon rainfall is relatively high, heavy rains and damage remain a constant risk.
• Additionally, the region experiences a smaller monsoon season from October to December, increasing year-round vulnerability.

Long-Term Concerns and Recommendations

• Infrastructure development in the northeastern States lags behind other regions.
• Geographical challenges complicate development but don’t justify the lack of preparedness.
• There is an urgent need for:
  • Systematic review involving all affected States and the Central government.
  • A sustainable, long-term plan to reduce annual fatalities and widespread destruction.
  • Comprehensive strategies considering the year-round vulnerability of the region.

Conclusion

The recurring monsoon floods in the Northeast expose the region’s vulnerability due to inadequate infrastructure and lack of a long-term strategy. To reduce annual casualties and economic losses, a coordinated approach involving the Central and State governments is essential. Sustainable, comprehensive plans must address year-round risks and geographical challenges to ensure the safety and resilience of the region.