New delhi: Maritime security experts from India, Indian Ocean nations, and the European Union (EU) are set to convene for a workshop in New Delhi on December 5 to deliberate on enhancing the protection of submarine infrastructure in the strategically significant Indian Ocean region. This seminar aims to fortify maritime collaboration between India, the EU, and the broader Indo-Pacific area by identifying risks, sharing best practices, and promoting practical technology and policy-driven solutions.
According to European Union, data cables, which carry 99% of intercontinental internet traffic, are crucial for commerce and digital development across all sectors of the global economy. These cables, linking continents and states and connecting islands to the mainland, are indispensable. However, their exposed position on the ocean floor makes them susceptible to malicious activities and intentional damage, posing significant threats to global infrastructure.
This track 1.5 EU-India regional seminar will evaluate
current risks and explore potential responses with a focus on regional and international cooperation. Seventy participants, including representatives from India, the EU, Madagascar, the Maldives, Mauritius, Oman, and the Seychelles, will attend the day-long event. The attendees will include military personnel and officials from government agencies such as the Navy and the Coast Guard.
Jointly organized by the National Maritime Foundation (NMF) of India and the European Union, the event is implemented by the EU security and defense project ESIWA+ (Enhancing the EU’s Security Cooperation in and with Asia and the Indo-Pacific), co-funded by the EU, Germany, and France.
Placing an emphasis on submarine cables, the workshop marks a significant step forward in the ongoing EU-India maritime security dialogues, as stated by H.E. Hervé Delphin, European Union Ambassador to India. Cooperation in the maritime domain is a vital component of the strategic EU-India agenda, reflecting shared interests in developing a comp
rehensive approach to maritime security.
Vice Admiral Pradeep Chauhan, AVSM and Bar (Retd), Director-General of the National Maritime Foundation, highlighted that the workshop will foster further regional maritime dialogue and action on securing undersea infrastructure, which is crucial for economic security and sovereignty. The discussions will focus on identifying vulnerabilities, highlighting best practices, and promoting concrete solutions that integrate technology, policy, and cooperation.
The seminar builds on the outcomes of the 4th EU-India Dialogue on maritime security and the Ministerial Meeting on the protection of critical maritime infrastructure, held on November 21 in Brussels at the margins of the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum. Protecting critical maritime infrastructure is essential for the security and prosperity of both the EU and Indo-Pacific regions. It requires enhanced surveillance and monitoring systems to detect threats in real-time and strategic coordination between governme
nts, private operators, and international partners to ensure rapid response and resilience.
The EU contributes to maritime security in the region with its naval operations Atalanta and Aspides in the North-West Indian Ocean.
As the world’s two largest democracies, the European Union and India share a commitment to a rules-based global order, effective multilateralism, and sustainable development. Since 2004, India has been a strategic partner of the EU, and 2022 marked the 60th anniversary of their relations. The collaboration between the EU and India from 2020 to 2025 is guided by the EU-India Strategic Partnership Roadmap, the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and the Global Gateway Strategy.
During the recent visit of the College of Commissioners to India, leaders from both sides lauded the growing cooperation between the EU and India in the defense and security domain, emphasizing their shared commitment to international peace and security, particularly maritime security, by addressing t
raditional and non-traditional threats to safeguard trade and sea lanes of communication.
In the framework of IMEC, the EU is advancing the EU-Africa-India Digital Corridor, including the 11,700 km Blue Raman submarine cable system connecting Europe to India via the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Eastern Africa. This EU initiative will provide ultra-high-speed, secure, and diversified data connectivity resilient to disruptions caused by natural disasters or human activity.