India, EU Sign Landmark Pact on Electronic Signatures to Boost Digital Trade

Implementation on the Indian side will be carried out by MeitY through the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), in accordance with India’s legal and regulatory framework under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

 India and the European Union have taken a major step towards strengthening digital cooperation by signing an Administrative Arrangement on Advanced Electronic Signatures and Seals, aimed at enabling seamless and secure cross-border digital transactions.

The agreement was signed on 27 January 2026 between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, and the Directorate-General for Communication Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) of the European Commission. The arrangement was formalised by the Secretary, MeitY, and the Director-General of DG CONNECT.

Implementation on the Indian side will be carried out by MeitY through the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), in accordance with India’s legal and regulatory framework under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

The arrangement establishes a structured framework for cooperation on the interoperability of electronic signatures, electronic seals and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems, fully aligned with the legal frameworks of both India and the European Union. Its core objective is to promote the use of secure, trusted and legally valid electronic authentication mechanisms in cross-border digital transactions and trade.

A key feature of the cooperation is the intention by both sides to link their trusted lists of recognised service providers, enabling easier and faster validation of electronic signatures and seals issued in India and the EU for cross-border use. This will significantly enhance legal certainty and trust in digital documents exchanged between the two jurisdictions.

The agreement is expected to deliver immediate benefits for businesses, particularly Indian exporters and EU buyers, who will be able to digitally sign contracts, invoices and compliance documents using trusted electronic signatures — eliminating the need for paper-based processes and courier delays.

By reducing transaction time, cost and verification effort, the arrangement is poised to be a major boost for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in India–EU trade. It also lays the foundation for deeper digital cooperation between India and the European Union in the future.

Call to action for businesses and digital service providers

Exporters, MSMEs and digital trust service providers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new framework and prepare to adopt interoperable electronic signature solutions to take advantage of faster, more secure India–EU digital trade.