ICANN85 Forum in Mumbai: A Collective Effort for Internet Resilience

The bustling city of Mumbai played host to the ICANN85 Community Forum from March 7 to 12, 2026, a key gathering organized by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). This year’s forum, in collaboration with the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), aimed to bring together global internet stakeholders to address essential discussions on maintaining an open, secure, and resilient Internet ecosystem.

Setting the Stage for Collaboration

At the heart of this event was the official Welcome Ceremony, attended by prominent internet leaders and senior government officials. Among them were Shri S. Krishnan, IAS, from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of India, and various representatives from the state government of Maharashtra, like Shri Rajesh Aggarwal. Their collective presence signified the importance of multi-faceted collaboration in Internet governance.

Shri S. Krishnan asserted, "The Internet is now critical infrastructure that underpins economies and public services worldwide. We are committed to ensuring its openness and security as digital adoption continues to rise." This sentiment was echoed by Rajesh Aggarwal, who emphasized that these discussions facilitate seamless cooperation to ensure the Internet's stability and accessibility for all.

Internet Stability in a Complex World

Tripti Sinha, ICANN Board Chair, highlighted the increasing complexity and division in our global landscape, pointing out how crucial Internet stability has become in such times. She called for transparency and accountability in decision-making processes that affect the Internet. Kurtis Lindqvist, ICANN President and CEO, added a practical dimension to the dialogues; he encouraged participants to draw on both rich experience and fresh perspectives, specifically inviting contributions from previously underserved regions.

Expansive Discussions on Key Issues

The forum comprised over 200 sessions, bringing together a rich tapestry of participants from government, industry leaders, technical experts, and civil society from around the world. These sessions tackled critical themes that impact the secure and stable functioning of the Internet—ranging from the evolution of the Domain Name System to pressing cybersecurity practices and potential expansions of generic top-level domains (gTLDs).

The focus was on enforcing the multistakeholder model in internet governance principles—a collaboration where the ICANN community can actively design policies and implement effective solutions. The conversations revealed an underlying commitment across all stakeholder groups to operate a safe, stable, and globally interoperable Internet.

The Mission of ICANN and NIXI

ICANN, a nonprofit organization established in 1998, plays a fundamental role in ensuring a stable and unified global Internet. It facilitates the coordination of unique identifiers necessary for inter-device communication. Meanwhile, NIXI complements this mission by strengthening India’s Internet architecture, managing the country’s domain extensions like .IN and .Bharat, and promoting Internet services across the nation.

Their collaborative efforts dovetail with India’s broader digital growth ambitions, supporting an inclusive Internet environment that enhances connectivity and fosters innovation.

As communities return home from ICANN85, the paramount aim remains—carrying forward the momentum and insights gained during the forum to further the cause of a resilient and secure Internet. Together, these stakeholders are not only shaping the present of Internet governance but also laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and robust Internet foundation for future generations.