New Delhi, March 30 -- Amid the US-Israel war with Iran, concerns are growing about the safety of subsea cables in West Asia-the hidden network that carries most of the world's internet. A large part of India's data travels through these cables, many of which pass through regions now at risk of conflict. What happens if they are damaged?

For everyday users, the internet is unlikely to stop working entirely. But for telecom and internet companies that operate these cables, even temporary disruptions can be costly and complicated, affecting traffic management, repair schedules, and service quality. The networks can still function, but companies may need to reroute data to alternative routes.

The industry estimates that about 60% of India'...