Male: Google on Monday announced plans to establish an undersea cable system to connect three countries with coasts on the Indian Ocean. 'Today, we're announcing Dhivaru, a new Trans-Indian Ocean subsea cable system that will connect the Maldives, Christmas Island, and Oman,' the Gulf state, the company said in a statement.

According to Anadolu Agency, 'This investment will build on the Australia Connect initiative, furthering the reach, reliability, and resilience of digital connectivity across the Indian Ocean,' Google added. Along with its cable investment, Google will also fund the establishment of two new connectivity hubs in the Maldives archipelago and Christmas Island.

'The Maldives and Christmas Island are naturally positioned for connectivity hubs to help improve digital connectivity for the region, including Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Oceania,' the company noted. Following Google's announcement, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu expressed confidence, stating that Google's decision to invest in the Maldives is a signal of global trust in the country's stable and investor-friendly environment.

He further stated, 'This landmark project drives forward my vision for a diversified, inclusive, and digitally empowered Maldivian economy, positioning our nation as a regional digital hub that boosts resilience and connectivity across the region,' he shared on US social media company X. Separately, the Maldives Economic Ministry emphasized that the Google investments will strengthen the Maldives' position as a trusted and secure digital gateway linking Asia, Oceania, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.