ICANN85 Forum in Mumbai Focuses on Open, Secure Global Internet

Global Internet leaders, policymakers, and technical experts have gathered in Mumbai for the ICANN85 Community Forum, a major international event focused on strengthening cooperation for a secure, resilient, and inclusive Internet ecosystem.

The forum, organized by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in collaboration with the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is being held from 7–12 March 2026 at the Jio Convention Center in Mumbai.

Global Stakeholders Convene for Internet Governance Dialogue

The official welcome ceremony on 9 March brought together senior government leaders and global Internet governance experts. Key participants included:

• S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY

• Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra

• Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary, MeitY

• Dr. Devesh Tyagi, CEO, NIXI

• Tripti Sinha, Chair of the ICANN Board

• Kurtis Lindqvist, ICANN President and CEO

• Samiran Gupta, ICANN Vice President for Stakeholder Engagement and Managing Director for Asia Pacific

The gathering reflects India's growing role in shaping global discussions on digital governance, Internet infrastructure, and cybersecurity.

Internet Now a Critical Global Infrastructure

Addressing the forum, MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan highlighted the Internet's transformation into a vital infrastructure supporting modern economies and public services worldwide.

"Internet today has become critical infrastructure that supports economies, public services, innovation, and everyday life across the world," he said.

He emphasized that as global digital adoption accelerates, governments and stakeholders must work together to ensure the Internet remains open, secure, resilient, and inclusive.

Krishnan also underscored the importance of multistakeholder collaboration, noting that platforms like ICANN allow governments, the private sector, technical communities, and civil society to collectively shape Internet governance.

Strengthening Multistakeholder Internet Governance

Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, said the ICANN85 forum provides an important platform for international cooperation.

"The Internet today is a critical part of economic growth, governance, and daily life. Platforms like ICANN85 allow governments, technical experts, and industry stakeholders to work together to ensure the Internet remains open, secure, and accessible," he said.

He added that such dialogues help maintain a stable and trusted digital ecosystem that supports innovation and development globally.

Stability and Integrity of the Internet in Focus

ICANN Board Chair Tripti Sinha highlighted the importance of maintaining the Internet's stability and integrity amid growing global complexities.

"The world grows more complex and, at times, more divided—which is precisely why the Internet's stability and integrity matter more deeply now than ever before," she said.

Sinha stressed the need for transparent decision-making, accountability, and disciplined cooperation to maintain a secure and globally interoperable Internet.

ICANN Calls for Broader Participation

ICANN President and CEO Kurtis Lindqvist emphasized that the forum aims to deliver tangible progress on key Internet governance priorities.

"My focus this week is practical. I want us to leave Mumbai with meaningful progress on the work the community has prioritized," he said.

Lindqvist also encouraged greater participation from new voices and regions that have historically been underrepresented in Internet governance discussions.

Over 200 Sessions on Internet Security and Domain Systems

The ICANN85 Community Forum features more than 200 sessions, bringing together representatives from governments, academia, civil society, and the technology sector.

Key discussion areas include:

• Evolution and governance of the Domain Name System (DNS)

• Cybersecurity frameworks for global Internet infrastructure

• Policy discussions around the next round of generic top-level domains (gTLDs)

• Strengthening global Internet resilience and stability

These sessions aim to help stakeholders collaborate on policies and technical solutions that ensure the Internet remains secure, stable, and interoperable worldwide.

India's Growing Role in Global Internet Governance

Hosting ICANN85 reflects India's expanding influence in the global digital governance ecosystem and its commitment to building trusted digital infrastructure.

With initiatives such as Digital India, expanding data infrastructure, and cybersecurity frameworks, the country is positioning itself as a key contributor to shaping the future of the Internet.

Throughout the forum, discussions are expected to reinforce the multistakeholder model of Internet governance, where governments, businesses, technical experts, and civil society collaborate to maintain a safe and inclusive digital ecosystem.