The National Internet Exchange of India signed a partnership agreement with the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre to strengthen cooperation in Internet infrastructure, IPv6 adoption, routing security, and technical capacity building, according to an announcement made during the 62nd APNIC Conference in Mumbai.
According to event disclosures, the agreement was finalized during the regional conference held from September 8 to 10. NIXI is hosting the conference, with the Internet Service Providers Association of India acting as co-host. This marks the first time in 14 years that India has hosted the flagship conference for the Asia-Pacific Internet community.
Infrastructure Demands and Routing Security Under the NIXI-APNIC Agreement
The partnership addresses the technical architecture through which Internet traffic is routed, stepping beyond public debates focused primarily on applications, platforms, artificial intelligence, and digital public infrastructure, according to conference organizers. Under the terms of the agreement, NIXI and APNIC will collaborate on IPv6 and Resource Public Key Infrastructure adoption, Train-the-Trainer programmes, RPKI training, and the development of technical lab infrastructure.
Did you know? Resource Public Key Infrastructure uses cryptographic verification to help network operators determine whether announcements concerning Internet Protocol address blocks are authorized by legitimate holders, thereby reducing risks associated with erroneous or malicious route announcements.
The agreement also supports the deployment of an RPKI Repository Mirror to improve access to routing-security information and facilitate more efficient network operations. Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), stated that the country’s expanding digital footprint requires dependable infrastructure.
“India’s digital journey needs strong and reliable Internet infrastructure. Hosting APNIC 62 in India is an important opportunity for our Internet community to connect with experts from across the region,” Pal said, adding that the cooperation would support India’s technical capabilities.
Capacity Building and Regional Technical Expertise
The capacity-building dimension of the partnership focuses on developing technical expertise within India as network infrastructure grows increasingly complex. According to program details, training programmes, technical laboratories, and knowledge-sharing initiatives will enable network operators and professionals to gain practical expertise in IPv6 deployment and routing security.
Dr Devesh Tyagi, CEO of NIXI, stated that the conference provides an opportunity to deepen engagement with the wider regional Internet ecosystem. “The MoU with APNIC builds on this engagement through practical initiatives in areas such as IPv6, RPKI and technical training,” Tyagi said. “Our focus is to create stronger local expertise and enable the Indian Internet community to participate more actively in regional technical development.”
APNIC Director General Jia Rong Low noted India’s progress in adopting IPv6 while pointing to routing security as a key focus. “India has already demonstrated global leadership in IPv6 adoption, and this partnership with NIXI marks an important next step in improving routing security, contributing to the overall security of India’s Internet ecosystem,” Low said.
Evolution of India’s Digital Ecosystem After 14 Years
The return of the APNIC conference to India after 14 years reflects the nation’s expanded weight in the Asia-Pacific digital ecosystem. Over this period, the Internet landscape has grown substantially, propelled by mobile broadband, cloud services, digital payments, e-governance platforms, data centres, and a fast-growing digital economy.
Senior participants attending the conference include Sushil Pal; Dr Devesh Tyagi; and APNIC Executive Council Chair Kenny Huang. Sessions cover connectivity, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, IPv6, routing security, Internet governance, and emerging technologies through technical sessions, tutorials, and panel discussions.
NIXI operates as a not-for-profit organisation operating under the aegis of MeitY, facilitating domestic Internet traffic exchange and managing India’s .IN and .भारत country-code top-level domains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main objective of the NIXI-APNIC partnership?
The partnership aims to strengthen cooperation on IPv6 adoption, routing security, Resource Public Key Infrastructure deployment, and technical capacity building within India’s Internet infrastructure.
Where was the APNIC 62 conference held?
The 62nd APNIC Conference was held in Mumbai from September 8 to 10, hosted by NIXI with ISPAI as co-host.
What is RPKI and why is it important?
Resource Public Key Infrastructure uses cryptographic verification to confirm that Internet Protocol address block announcements come from legitimate holders, reducing the risks of routing errors and malicious announcements.
Who signed the agreement on behalf of the organisations?
The agreement was established during APNIC 62 through collaboration between NIXI leadership, including CEO Dr Devesh Tyagi, and APNIC Director General Jia Rong Low.
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