SECURING CRITICAL UNDERSEA INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION: HYBRID THREATS, PUBLIC-PRIVATE RESILIENCE AND GEOECONOMIC COMPETITION

The Indo-Pacific, a region increasingly characterized by geopolitical conflict and technological transformation, depends on its underwater infrastructure, which includes energy pipelines and submarine fiber-optic cables, for its digital and economic survival. This study examines how the security and stability of these vital assets are impacted by a combination of growing geoeconomic competitiveness, increasing hybrid threats, and the need for resilience in the public-private sector. The research employs a multidisciplinary methodology i.e a collaboration across the disciplines- Environment, Science, Public Policy, Politics and International Relation- to map the geographic distribution, ownership trends, and operational dynamics of underwater infrastructure. It also analyzes the range of current threats, including physical sabotage, state-sponsored cyberattacks, legal ambiguities, and climate-related hazards. The relationship between the obligations of the private sector and the increasing governmental intervention is at the heart of the analysis, underscoring the necessity of strong public-private partnerships, clear regulations, and coordinated readiness. The study further looks into the function of regional and global collaboration through organizations like ASEAN and the Quad, as well as the growing strategic use of infrastructure in digital diplomacy and economic statecraft. The results demonstrate that protecting the Indo-Pacific's underwater infrastructure is a political and strategic necessity based on inclusive cooperation and multilevel governance, rather than just a technical problem.