New Delhi: 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 have signed an Administrative Arrangement on Electronic Signatures and Seals, marking a significant step in strengthening India–EU digital cooperation.
The Administrative Arrangement on Electronic Signatures and Seals was signed on 27 January 2026 by the Secretary, MeitY, and the Director-General, DG CONNECT.
The cooperation will be implemented by MeitY through the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), in accordance with India’s legal and regulatory framework under the applicable provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
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Framework for Cooperation on Electronic Signatures and Seals
The Administrative Arrangement establishes a structured framework for cooperation on the interoperability of Electronic Signatures and Seals, and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems.
The cooperation will be consistent with the respective laws and regulations of India and the European Union, with the objective of promoting secure, trusted, and legally reliable digital transactions across borders.
As part of the arrangement, both sides intend to work towards linking their trusted lists of recognised service providers.
This will enable easier validation of Electronic Signatures and Seals issued in India and the European Union for cross-border use, laying the foundation for deeper digital cooperation in the future.
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Enabling Faster Digital Transactions for India–EU Trade
The cooperation on Electronic Signatures and Seals is expected to benefit Indian exporters and European Union buyers by enabling the digital signing of contracts, invoices, and compliance documents using trusted electronic signatures.
This will eliminate the need for physical paperwork and courier services, reducing delays in cross-border transactions.
By streamlining document verification and validation processes, the arrangement aims to reduce transaction time, costs, and administrative effort, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
It is also expected to enhance trust and legal certainty in India–EU digital trade by enabling faster and more reliable validation of documents on both sides.
