Submarine cable networks are integral to modern society as the backbone of digital information flows. These critical infrastructure cyber networks, which carry approximately 99% of data traffic globally, are constantly growing, expanding and being reconfigured. However, as geopolitical tensions rise globally, submarine cable networks are increasingly contested.
The Ukraine–Russia conflict in Europe has brought seabed warfare to the fore, as seabed critical infrastructure has once again become the target of international conflict. Additionally, via its Digital Silk Road Strategy, China is attempting to grow its submarine cable market share, thereby introducing data integrity and security risks.
Amid uncertainty over the United States’ future global role, Indo-Pacific nations are responding to these emerging seabed threats in myriad ways: including improved cable network surveillance, subsidising regional cable networks and considering investing in sovereign installation and repair capabilities.
The Australia-India Cables Dialogue will bring together key Australian and Indian submarine cable industry, government and research experts to determine how the two nations can better promote Indo-Pacific submarine cable connectivity, resilience and supply chains.
Discussion Theme
- Advance Australia-India cooperation on the security, resilience, and expansion of submarine cable networks across the Indo-Pacific.
- Address emerging strategic risks to undersea cable infrastructure posed by rising geopolitical tensions, seabed warfare, and foreign influence in global cable markets.
- Identify and assess connectivity gaps across the Indo-Pacific, with a focus on expanding trusted and secure digital infrastructure.
- Generate concrete, policy-oriented recommendations for government and industry stakeholders in both nations and inform broader Indo-Pacific digital infrastructure strategies.
Key Areas of Bilateral Interest
- Strategic Connectivity and Trusted Network Expansion: Identifying infrastructure gaps and opportunities to bolster secure, high-capacity cable links connecting the Indo-Pacific.
- Supply Chain Vulnerability and Risk Management: Mapping critical dependencies and security risks across the cable ecosystem—from hardware sourcing to landing station control—and developing resilient, diversified supply chains with trusted partners.
- Submarine Cable Security and Seabed Warfare Preparedness: Enhancing joint awareness, surveillance, and risk mitigation strategies to protect undersea infrastructure from sabotage, espionage, and armed conflict.
- Bilateral and Multilateral Policy Coordination: Aligning national strategies through structured Australia-India cooperation to support regional cable governance, cyber norms, and critical infrastructure resilience.
- Knowledge-Sharing and Institutional Collaboration: Fostering collaboration between industry, government, and research institutions in both countries to promote innovation, inform policymaking, and drive future strategic engagements on submarine cable security.
