The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has formally requested the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to establish a root server in India, aiming to enhance the resilience of the country's internet system. MeitY Secretary S Krishnan made this announcement on June 19, highlighting the importance of this move given India's large internet user base, according to medianama.com.
The Indian government first articulated this request to ICANN at least two years ago, with ongoing discussions documented in a February 2024 parliamentary report. The report emphasized the need for proactive measures against increasing cyber and malware attacks linked to terrorist organizations. Root servers are critical components of the Domain Name System (DNS), which translates website URLs into IP addresses, and having one located in India would reduce dependency on foreign servers and improve internet stability.
This initiative aligns with broader efforts to strengthen India's cybersecurity infrastructure. The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) recently launched four new products, including an AI-powered WHOIS screening platform and portals to enhance internet governance. Establishing a root server domestically would place India among a select group of countries hosting these vital internet infrastructure elements, potentially improving response times and security for Indian users.
The next step involves formal approval and coordination with ICANN to finalize the root server's deployment in India. The parliamentary report from February 2024 remains a key reference for the government's cybersecurity strategy, underscoring the urgency of this infrastructure enhancement.