New Delhi. Amidst the ever increasing tension in the Middle East, a new threat is emerging, which can have a huge impact on India. In fact, stress can also affect the world’s internet system. Experts say that if the conflict increases in the Strait of Hormuz area, then the fiber-optics cables laid under the sea in that area may be damaged. These are the same cables through which most of the world’s Internet data passes.
Let us tell you that the Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important sea routes in the world. A large amount of oil passes through this path, but very few people know that many important internet cables also pass through here under the sea surface. These cables digitally connect Asia, West Asia and Europe. According to one, many big cables connecting India to Europe pass through this region. Therefore, this area is considered a very important corridor of digital connectivity for India also.
To strengthen internet connectivity, the world’s big tech companies and telecom operators are continuously investing in new undersea cable networks. Recently, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the India-America Connect project during his visit to New Delhi. Its objective is to connect India more strongly with the global digital network.
According to the report, about one-third of India’s westbound internet traffic passes through these cables. This means if there is any major disruption in this region, then data transmission between India and Europe may be affected. However, experts say that backup systems also exist in the global Internet network.
An expert related to this whole matter said, there is redundancy in marine cables. Even if one cable is cut, data can be sent through other routes, but if several cables are affected simultaneously, then the other routes will be overloaded. After this, internet speed may become slow and there may be problems in service.
He said that its effect will not be visible immediately. Internet servers around the world are kept in reserve. India also has such systems. Because of this, no major impact will be seen for at least a week. Apart from this, cables coming from the Atlantic Ocean are also available as an option.
Another expert said that, so far there has been no impact on internet connectivity, but if cables are cut or telecom and power infrastructure is attacked, then the situation could become serious. According to experts, India’s international internet traffic mainly goes out of two major gateways. One in Mumbai and the other in Chennai. Data traveling through Mumbai reaches Europe via the Arabian Sea and the Gulf region, so any disturbance in this area can affect India’s digital networks.
Cyber security expert said that the world’s internet is not run by satellites but by cables laid under the sea. More than 99 percent of the world’s data passes through undersea fiber-optic cables, he said. This is the real backbone of the digital economy. According to cyber security experts, the area around the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz has today become an important digital highway of the world. If there is any disruption here, then internet services may become slow and global connectivity may be affected. He warned that in case of war, these cables become extremely unsafe. According to him, now the world is moving towards a new seabed infrastructure war. Just as oil pipelines and sea lanes are considered strategic assets, internet cables have also become an important part of the global balance of power.
