The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) marked its 23rd Foundation Day with a call to shift focus from merely popularizing Internet access to protecting users. S Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Chairman of NIXI, emphasized that as digital technologies become deeply embedded in daily life, strengthening the Internet ecosystem is essential.
Government Calls for Safe and Reliable Internet
Addressing the event held on Friday in New Delhi, Krishnan urged policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and technology experts to work together toward an Internet that is safe, reliable, and accessible to all. He highlighted the growing importance of trust, resilience, and security in an increasingly digital society, alongside India's expanding role in global Internet governance.
"As digital technologies become deeply integrated into our daily lives, building trust, resilience and security across the Internet ecosystem becomes increasingly important," Krishnan said. "NIXI has played a vital role in strengthening India's Internet infrastructure while enabling greater participation in global Internet governance discussions. Together, we must continue working towards an Internet that is safe, reliable and accessible for all."
Launch of Four Digital Initiatives
A key highlight of the celebration was the launch of four digital initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and security within India's Internet ecosystem. These include the IX Portal, myIRINN Portal, .IN Auction Portal, and an AI-powered WHOIS Screening Platform. The platforms are designed to enhance user experience, streamline operations, strengthen monitoring and verification processes, and improve governance of domain-related services. The AI-based WHOIS screening system is expected to enhance domain name security by improving the detection of suspicious websites, thereby strengthening the integrity of India's .in domain space.
Global Internet Governance
Samiran Gupta, Vice President for Stakeholder Engagement at ICANN and Managing Director for the Asia-Pacific region, stressed the importance of India's deeper engagement in global Internet governance and standards development. "As India's digital ecosystem continues to expand, it is important that we strengthen our participation in global Internet governance and standards discussions," he said. "Initiatives such as the NIXI Fellowship Programme are helping build a new generation of leaders who can contribute meaningfully to the future of the Internet. NIXI has played a significant role in advancing India's digital journey, and I am confident it will continue to strengthen the country's position in the global Internet community."
Strengthening India's Contribution
Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary at MeitY, highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen India's contribution to Internet governance. He pointed to initiatives such as fellowships, funding support for Internet technology projects, and participation in global forums like the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Devesh Tyagi, Chief Executive Officer of NIXI, said that the next phase of India's Internet growth would be driven by trust, innovation, and inclusive participation. He added that NIXI would continue to build an Internet ecosystem that encourages collaboration, supports innovation, and generates long-term value for citizens, businesses, startups, and institutions in an increasingly digital economy.
