On 5 October 2026, the Arterial Research and Educational Network in the Asia Pacific (ARENA-PAC), operated by the WIDE Project and the National Knowledge Network (NKN) of India signed a MoU to work together on launching a Global Exchange Point for research and education networks located in India. It sets out a framework for the two organisations to cooperate on an open and resilient Internet Exchange in India that benefits global R&E communities.
Research today depends more and more on large datasets, computational methods and teams that work across borders. ARENA-PAC and NKN will explore developing an open Internet Exchange (IX) that brings R&E networks together and strengthens links between India, its neighboring economies and the wider Asia-Pacific region, with the longer-term aim of creating a hub that connects Asia and Europe.
About ARENA-PAC: Arterial Research and Educational Network in Asia-Pacific (ARENA-PAC) is a backbone network with the purpose of research and education and is made up of an international submarine cable network constructed to expand the Internet in the Asia-Pacific region, operated by WIDE Project, and represented by Prof. Jun Murai, Global Research Institute KEIO University.
About NKN: National Knowledge Network (NKN), the Research and Education Network in India has been enabling high-speed connectivity to the knowledge institutions of the country.NKN has been the facilitating knowledge ecosystem within the nation, connecting about 1800 research and high education institutions of the nation and facilitates collaborating with international research institutes.