The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 3rd June 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Strengthening the U.S.-India subsea cable agenda

Why is it News?

Strengthening digital resilience and advancing shared strategic and business objectives in the region are crucial.

Introduction

Trade between India and the United States is expanding rapidly across various sectors, not just limited to an impending trade agreement. Both governments are collaborating closely on critical strategic areas due to a mutual understanding of the need to diversify and mitigate risks in technology supply chains, especially in the current volatile global environment. This collaboration involves enhancing the Technology for Resilient, Open and Unified Security and Trust (TRUST) framework, building upon the previous 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 Agreement:

• U.S. President Donald Trump is anticipated to visit India later this year for the Quad Summit, which includes India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S.
• Prior to this summit, the initial phase of a bilateral trade agreement between India and the U.S. is expected to be signed, laying a robust foundation for enhanced collaboration in digital technologies and markets.

Focus on Subsea Cables:

• Subsea cables, constituting the physical backbone of the global Internet, are gaining significant attention.
• These cables are responsible for over 95% of international data traffic, facilitating nearly all digital communications.
• Upon landing, they connect directly to users or data centers that support cloud services and essential infrastructure.

Strategic Importance of Trusted Subsea Infrastructure:

• China’s rapid expansion of subsea cable infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific through its Digital Silk Road Initiative underscores the urgent need for reliable alternative networks to ensure regional security and stability.

India-U.S. Partnership on Subsea Cable Systems

• A strong commitment from India and the U.S. to develop resilient and secure subsea cable systems would have global benefits.
• The TRUST framework emphasizes India’s emerging role as a security provider in the Indo-Pacific and encourages investment in subsea cable infrastructure with trusted vendors.

India’s Current Subsea Cable Status

India, with its extensive 11,098 km coastline and rapidly expanding digital economy, is well-positioned to become a regional connectivity hub. However, the country currently has fewer subsea cables compared to smaller nations like Singapore, indicating a need for improvement in this area.

Cable Landing Stations and Network Diversification

• India’s coastline, which constitutes nearly two-thirds of its boundary, hosts 15 out of 17 international subsea cables, all landing within a mere 6 km stretch in Mumbai.
• Cable landing stations are concentrated in just five cities: Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Tuticorin, and Thiruvananthapuram.
• There is an urgent need to diversify these landing stations to mitigate risks associated with natural disasters, human errors, or potential sabotage.

Importance of Network Redundancy

• A distributed network enhances redundancy, ensuring that if one cable is compromised, data can be rerouted through alternative pathways.
• For instance, in 2024, Houthi rebels disrupted subsea cables in the Red Sea, necessitating India to reroute traffic to maintain continuity.
• Should a similar incident occur near India, it could lead to significant communication breakdowns both domestically and internationally.

Strategic Location of India in Subsea Cable Networks

• Subsea cable routes typically align with historical maritime trade paths.
• India’s strategic location, flanked by Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa, places it near vital maritime choke points such as the Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, and Bab-el-Mandeb.
• This advantageous position positions India as a natural hub for global cable networks.

Growing Broadband Demand and Regional Connectivity

Strategic Significance of India’s Digital Infrastructure

• The U.S. policy aims to counterbalance Beijing’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Within this strategic framework, India’s digital infrastructure, particularly its subsea cables, emerges as a critical frontline asset that requires fortification and protection.

India’s Need to Improve Investment Environment

• India must lower entry barriers to attract greater investment in subsea cable projects.
• The existing licensing procedure is overly complex, necessitating more than 50 approvals from various government ministries.
• Currently, India relies on foreign-flagged cable repair vessels, primarily from Singapore and Dubai. These ships face delays of 3 to 5 months for cable repairs due to lengthy travel times and intricate clearance processes involving customs, naval permissions, and crew approvals.
• Such delays result in commercial losses and need urgent attention.

Role of the United States in Enhancing Digital Infrastructure

Building Domestic Repair Capacity

• Developing an indigenous subsea cable repair ecosystem is crucial for enhancing response times and reducing reliance on foreign entities.
• This includes establishing repair depots and commissioning Indian-flagged repair vessels capable of undertaking repair missions independently.
• Integrating these efforts under the TRUST framework will bolster India’s digital infrastructure security and responsiveness, ensuring swift action in case of disruptions.

Conclusion

• Improved cooperation on subsea cables will support the broader U.S.-India trade agreement being negotiated, which is grounded in stronger technology collaboration.
• Swift advancements in these areas will enhance the region’s digital resilience and contribute to achieving mutual strategic and business objectives.

Monsoon woes

Why in News?

Northeast states need a long-term plan to manage flooding effectively.

Introduction

• The monsoon season is vital for India’s economy but poses significant challenges, particularly for the Northeast states.
• The Bay of Bengal branch brings heavy rains, leading to frequent floods and landslides, causing extensive damage and loss of life.
• Urgent measures are needed to mitigate these impacts while sustaining economic benefits.

Monsoon Overview and Impact

• The southwest monsoon has started with intense rains, causing considerable destruction.
• The monsoon's onset from Kerala and its northward progression is celebrated for its positive economic impact, primarily involving the Arabian Sea branch.

Dual Branches of the Monsoon

 Bay of Bengal Branch 

 The Bay of Bengal branch usually follows soon after or simultaneously with the Arabian Sea branch. 

 It first impacts the northeastern and eastern States. 

 This branch is known for causing floods and landslides frequently, a pattern that has been observed this year as well. 

Current Situation in the Northeast

• Assam:
  • Ten major rivers are flowing above danger levels.
  • Over 300,000 people across 19 districts are affected by floods.
• Tripura:
  • Experienced heavy to very heavy rainfall over the weekend.
  • Expected to face 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 are blocked due to continuous rains.
  • A tragic incident occurred where a bus fell into the swollen Teesta River, resulting in at least 2 deaths, with others still missing.

Future Outlook and Challenges

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

Long-Term Concerns and Recommendations

• Infrastructure development in the northeastern States is behind that of other regions.
• Geographical challenges make development difficult, but they do not 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 that consider the year-round vulnerability of the region.

Conclusion

The recurring monsoon floods in the Northeast highlight the region’s vulnerability due to insufficient infrastructure and the absence of a long-term strategy.

 To minimize annual casualties and economic losses, a coordinated approach involving both Central and State governments is crucial. Sustainable and comprehensive plans must address year-round risks and geographical challenges to ensure the safety and resilience of the region.