India, EU Unite to Secure Vital Undersea Cables in Indian Ocean
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As India and the European Union prepare for their annual summit on January 27, senior officials from both sides are set to discuss ways to protect critical undersea cables in the Indian Ocean region. This move is part of a broader effort to boost maritime security in the region. Around 70 senior military personnel and officials from India, the EU, and other Indian Ocean countries will gather on Friday to discuss strategies for securing submarine cables. This meeting is aimed at strengthening cooperation among India, the EU, and the Indo-Pacific region to safeguard critical undersea infrastructure. The EU has emphasized the importance of protecting these cables, which carry 99% of inter-continental internet traffic and are vital for global commerce and digital growth. However, undersea cables are vulnerable to intentional damage and malign activities, which can have significant global impacts. The EU-India regional seminar will assess current risks and consider possible responses, with a focus on regional and global cooperation. The workshop is a key step forward in the ongoing EU-India maritime security dialogues, and it represents a shared interest in developing a comprehensive approach to maritime security. The EU's Action Plan on Cable Security provides a framework for strengthening the security and resilience of submarine cable infrastructures. This plan can serve as a basis for developing further cooperation and joint strategies with key international partners like India. The EU's regional focus on the Indian Ocean is crucial, given the increasing number of initiatives between Europe, India, and other regional partners. The workshop will help foster further regional maritime dialogue and action on securing undersea infrastructure, which is critical for economic security and sovereignty. The seminar builds on the fourth EU-India Dialogue on maritime security and the ministerial meeting on the protection of critical maritime infrastructure, held last month in Brussels. Protecting critical maritime infrastructure is vital to the security and prosperity of both the EU and Indo-Pacific regions. The EU plays a role in enhancing maritime security in the region, particularly with its naval operations Atalanta and Aspides in the North-West Indian Ocean. Guarding undersea infrastructure requires a combination of enhanced surveillance and monitoring systems to detect threats in real time. It also demands strategic coordination between governments, private operators, and international partners to ensure rapid response and resilience.
