The ICANN85 Community Forum has brought together global Internet leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and civil society representatives in Mumbai to discuss the future of a secure, stable, and inclusive Internet ecosystem. The event is being organised by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers in collaboration with the National Internet Exchange of India under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The forum is being held from 7 to 12 March 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre and includes more than 200 sessions focusing on Internet governance, cybersecurity, and the evolution of global digital infrastructure.
Global Leaders Discuss Internet Governance and Digital Cooperation
The official welcome ceremony on 9 March 2026 brought together prominent government officials and international Internet leaders. Key participants included S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology; Rajesh Aggarwal; Sushil Pal; and Devesh Tyagi.
Global leadership from ICANN was also present, including Tripti Sinha, Kurtis Lindqvist, and Samiran Gupta.
These discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration among governments, industry stakeholders, and technical communities to ensure that the Internet remains open, resilient, secure, and accessible worldwide.
Internet as Critical Global Infrastructure
During the event, Secretary MeitY S. Krishnan emphasized that the Internet has become critical infrastructure supporting economies, governance, innovation, and daily life across the globe. With rapid digital adoption worldwide, he stressed the need for strong international cooperation to maintain the Internet’s security, openness, and resilience.
He also highlighted India’s commitment to strengthening trusted digital infrastructure and supporting the multistakeholder model of Internet governance, where governments, private companies, technical experts, and civil society collaborate on policy and operational decisions.
Strengthening the Multistakeholder Internet Governance Model
ICANN Board Chair Tripti Sinha underlined the importance of maintaining transparency, accountability, and cooperation in managing the global Internet ecosystem. She noted that ensuring the stability and integrity of the Internet is more important than ever in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Meanwhile, ICANN President and CEO Kurtis Lindqvist emphasized the need to make tangible progress during the forum and encouraged broader participation, especially from regions that have historically had limited representation in global Internet governance discussions.
Key Topics at ICANN85
The ICANN85 forum includes over 200 sessions and discussions addressing several critical issues related to the operation and governance of the Internet. Key topics include:
Evolution and management of the Domain Name System (DNS)
Strengthening cybersecurity practices
Expansion of generic top-level domains (gTLDs)
Improving global Internet stability and interoperability
Enhancing digital cooperation among nations and stakeholders
These sessions aim to support the continued functioning of a secure and globally interoperable Internet infrastructure.
Role of ICANN in Global Internet Coordination
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers was established in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation. Its primary mission is to ensure that the Internet remains stable, secure, and unified worldwide.
ICANN coordinates unique Internet identifiers such as domain names and IP addresses, enabling computers and devices around the world to connect reliably.
NIXI’s Contribution to India’s Internet Infrastructure
The National Internet Exchange of India plays a vital role in strengthening India’s digital ecosystem. Operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, NIXI facilitates the efficient exchange of domestic Internet traffic and manages India’s .IN and .भारत (.Bharat) country-code top-level domains.
Through its initiatives, NIXI continues to support the development of a secure, resilient, and inclusive Internet infrastructure aligned with India’s expanding digital economy.
