APNIC 62 to bring 600-plus Internet experts to Mumbai

MUMBAI: The Internet is going back to school and Mumbai is hosting the masterclass. More than 600 Internet experts, policymakers and technology leaders will gather in the city this September for the 62nd APNIC Conference (APNIC 62), as AI, cybersecurity and surging digital demand put growing pressure on the infrastructure powering the online world.

The conference is being hosted by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) and the Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI), with support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Government of Maharashtra. It is organised by the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), the region’s not-for-profit Internet number registry.

The event will bring together network operators, technical experts, policymakers and other members of the Internet community to discuss the forces reshaping the Internet, including AI-powered services, network automation, cybersecurity, routing security and Internet governance.

For India, the discussions come as its digital ecosystem continues to expand, making secure and resilient infrastructure increasingly important. MeitY Joint Secretary Sushil Pal said APNIC 62 would provide a platform for India to engage with the wider Asia Pacific technical community and exchange knowledge around building an open, inclusive and trusted Internet.

The conference will also feature senior government participation, including MeitY Secretary S Krishnan and Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Secretary of Maharashtra.

APNIC Director General Jia Rong Low said AI and other technical and societal shifts were creating unprecedented demands on networks supporting economies and societies. He also pointed to India’s leadership in IPv6 adoption as an example of what can be achieved when technical expertise, investment and collaboration come together.

For NIXI, the Mumbai conference offers an opportunity to showcase India’s experience while strengthening regional cooperation. NIXI CEO Dr Devesh Tyagi said the discussions would focus on the practical challenges of supporting a rapidly expanding digital economy.

ISPAI President Rajesh Chharia said Internet service providers were at the frontline of meeting demand for reliable, secure and high-performing connectivity, making technical cooperation increasingly important as networks prepare for the next phase of growth.

The Opening Ceremony will feature keynotes from Amajit Gupta, CEO and Managing Director of Lightstorm Group, on AI-driven network automation, and Yukako Uchida of JPCERT/CC on the role of trust and cooperation in cybersecurity.

A key development is also scheduled for September 8, when NIXI and APNIC will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the deployment of key Internet infrastructure technologies, particularly IPv6 and routing security. The agreement is aimed at strengthening the security and resilience of India’s Internet infrastructure and supporting its long-term development.