India's internet market has surged due to affordable data, but a significant vulnerability lies in its undersea cable infrastructure. Thirteen of the country's eighteen intercontinental cables land within a six-kilometre stretch of Mumbai, creating a concentrated risk for international bandwidth, which is crucial for the digital economy.
As India continues to expand its digital capabilities, the aging cables and reliance on foreign repair ships highlight a pressing need for improved infrastructure. The government is recognizing the importance of these cables, but bureaucratic hurdles and the slow pace of new installations could hinder future growth in data capacity and connectivity.