New Delhi, November 28: The fifth edition of the India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF-2025) concluded today after two days of extensive deliberations held at the India Habitat Centre and the India International Centre, New Delhi.
The multi-stakeholder forum brought together representatives from central ministries, technology companies, civil society organisations, academia and international bodies to discuss ways to nurture an open, trusted and inclusive internet ecosystem.
Guided by the theme “Advancing Internet Governance for an Inclusive and Sustainable Viksit Bharat,” the forum explored three core sub-themes: Inclusive Digital Future, Digital Infrastructure for Resilient and Sustainable Growth and AI for People, Planet and Progress. Over the course of the event, participants engaged in four panel discussions and twelve workshops on topics including rural connectivity, digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity readiness, DNS and domain security, data protection, content moderation, and ethical deployment of AI.
Speakers from global and national organisations—including the United Nations Internet Governance Forum, Meta, Google Cloud, CCAOI and leading universities—provided both international and domestic perspectives, situating India’s digital advancements within the global discourse.
In his inaugural address, Union Minister of State for Electronics & IT, Shri Jitin Prasada, said: “The India Internet Governance Forum has shown that progress in the digital space comes from collective effort. Our priority is to ensure safe, affordable, and reliable internet access for every citizen. With robust 5G coverage, strong digital public systems, and the consent-based Data Protection Act, we are building an ecosystem that protects citizens while enabling new opportunities. Cyber risks are real for a country of our size—addressing them requires shared responsibility across government, industry, academia and civil society.”
Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary, MeitY, highlighted that with nearly one billion Indians online, India’s digital model offers lessons for both the Global South and developed nations. He emphasised the need for strengthening trust and resilience across the internet’s fundamental layers, given rising cyberattacks, misinformation and misuse of digital technologies.
Dr. Devesh Tyagi, CEO, NIXI, underscored that IIGF’s strength lies in its multi-stakeholder character. He noted the growth of institutional mechanisms such as special interest groups on internet protocols, domain names and future internet technologies. He also highlighted the success of the NIXI Internet Intern Scheme, which has trained over 10,000 students, with many now participating in global internet governance platforms.
Across sessions, participants reiterated that universal and meaningful access must remain central to India’s digital journey. Strengthening digital public infrastructure, improving cybersecurity preparedness and fostering responsible AI innovation were identified as key priorities.
The forum concluded with a collective pledge to build a safer, more inclusive and resilient internet for India and the global community.
The India Internet Governance Forum serves as the national chapter of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum. Established in 2021, it follows a multi-stakeholder model comprising government, civil society, academia, industry and the technical community. A 14-member committee guides its activities. IIGF-2025 was held on November 27–28 in New Delhi, with Day 1 sessions hosted at the India Habitat Centre and Day 2 at the India International Centre. (PIB)
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