India and European Union (EU) Sign Administrative Arrangement on Advanced Electronic Signatures on 27 January 2026

Key facts

• India and the EU signed an Administrative Arrangement on Advanced Electronic Signatures and Seals on 27 January 2026 to enable secure cross-border digital transactions.
• The agreement was formalised between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Directorate-General for Communication Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) of the European Commission.
• Implementation on the Indian side will be managed by MeitY through the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) under the framework of 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.
• Both parties intend to link their trusted lists of recognised service providers to facilitate the validation of digital signatures and seals issued in India and the EU.
• The pact is designed to benefit Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and exporters by reducing transaction costs, time, and verification efforts in cross-border trade.