Thursday, 5 March 2026
New Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership funding will see the Australia India Institute deliver a new Track 1.5 dialogue to advance Australia and India’s vision for a secure, open and resilient Indo-Pacific digital ecosystem.
Submarine cable networks carry about 99% of global internet traffic and form the backbone of the Indo-Pacific’s digital infrastructure. However, supply chains are currently facing critical vulnerabilities, with a limited concentration of manufacturers and repairers and geopolitical risk.
Led by Research Fellow Dr Samuel Bashfield in collaboration with the La Trobe Centre for Global Security, La Trobe University, and the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore, this project will address three urgent questions:
- What are the specific supply chain vulnerabilities affecting submarine cable networks in the Indo-Pacific?
- How can Australia and India cooperatively diversify dependencies in cable manufacturing, deployment, and maintenance?
- What policy frameworks and industry partnerships can strengthen regional supply chain resilience?
Building on the successful AICCTP-funded Australia-India Cable Dialogue 2025, this project will deliver research publications, a new Track 1.5 dialogue in India, and a policy framework to inform government decision-making and industry practice across the Indo-Pacific.
Australia India Institute CEO Lisa Singh said securing undersea submarine cable networks was one of the most important issues for our region’s connectivity.
“As tensions rise and geopolitics becomes more unpredictable, submarine cable networks are becoming increasingly contested,” she said.
“This groundbreaking research will inform policy development, and foster a prosperous and resilient Indo-Pacific region.”
Project lead, Dr Samuel Bashfield said: “submarine cable networks are the backbone of our digital ecosystem, and vital for the functioning of our modern society.”
“Australia and India are uniquely placed in the Indian Ocean to promote a resilient subsea mesh that underpins peace and prosperity.”
For more information on the Institute’s Seabed Program, visit: https://aii.unimelb.edu.au/seabed-program/
Media Enquiries:
Laura Hooper
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