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India and the US have expanded cooperation to secure and diversify global undersea cable networks under the US-India TRUST initiative, the US Embassy in India announced on 11 September 2026.
Government and industry experts from both countries met at an 'Undersea Cables Workshop' in September 2026 on protecting subsea communication infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific.
The US identified India as a potential global hub for subsea digital infrastructure, citing its growing digital economy, cloud and AI demand, and geography.
The focus is on trusted suppliers, diversified routes and multiple landing stations to guard against sabotage, cyberattacks, interception and single-source dependence.
TRUST - Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technologies - was launched during PM Modi's visit to Washington in February 2025.
Fibre-optic cables laid on the seabed carry data between continents and come ashore at cable landing stations. Their resilience depends on physical protection, diverse routes and multiple landing points, since one cut or choke point can disrupt connectivity across a region.
Simple Analogy: Like highways for data - one blocked road jams traffic unless there are detours.
Cooperation among governments, academia and industry in critical and emerging technologies
Key: Covers AI, semiconductors, quantum, biotechnology, energy, space and defence technologies; stresses trusted suppliers and protection of sensitive technology
Remove barriers to financing, building, powering and connecting US-origin AI infrastructure in India
Key: Promotes next-generation data centres and access to compute, processors, AI models and applications
Predecessor framework for India-US technology partnership
Key: Announced in May 2022, launched by the two National Security Advisers in January 2023; succeeded by TRUST in February 2025
Lists freedom to lay submarine cables and pipelines among the freedoms of the high seas
Protect the laying of submarine cables in the Exclusive Economic Zone and on the continental shelf of coastal states
Require states to make wilful or negligent breaking or injury of submarine cables punishable, and set rules on indemnity; India ratified UNCLOS in 1995
India and US announce the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET)
iCET formally launched by the two National Security Advisers
TRUST initiative launched during PM Modi's visit to Washington
US-India TRUST Fellowship launched in Bengaluru; Undersea Cables Workshop held
US Embassy announces undersea cable security cooperation
GS Paper II > India-US relations; GS Paper III > Security of critical infrastructure, cyber security
General Awareness > Bilateral initiatives
Which one of the following links all the ATMs in India?
Answer: National Payments Corporation of India
Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technologies - India-US critical technology initiative launched February 2025
Coastal facility where a submarine cable comes ashore and connects to domestic networks
Using multiple cable paths and landing points so that no single failure cuts connectivity