“Green hydrogen will only succeed if policy, regulation, and trade frameworks move as quickly

as technology does.”

- Mr. Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Hon. Secretary, MNRE

This sentiment set the tone for the India–EU High-Level Roundtable on Green Hydrogen Trade,

held on 29 September 2025 at Fieldfisher, Brussels. Chaired by Mr Santosh Kumar Sarangi,

Hon. Secretary, MNRE, alongside Shri Mahaveer Singhvi, MEA, Ms. Ruta Baltause, European

Commission (DG ENER) and certifying bodies like CertifHy, ISCC, along with key industry

stakeholders, addressed how to deliberate on how to unlock the full potential of India–EU green

hydrogen trade.

The discussion was framed by India’s ambition to position itself as a leading global producer

and exporter of green hydrogen and its derivatives. India’s achievements in securing some of

the lowest global prices for green ammonia through recent tenders, aided by renewable energy

abundance, grid fee waivers, and production subsidies, were acknowledged. There was an

emphasis on the need for synchronised policy, certification alignment, and infrastructure

readiness to ensure market access.

Certification emerged as one of the most contentious but central issues. The lack of harmonized

global standards was described as a major barrier to smooth international trade. Indian

representatives pressed for recognition of India’s unique grid structure and certification scheme,

while European participants stressed that rules must be transparent, interoperable, and legally

defensible before European courts. As CertifHy put it, “For global trade to happen, harmonized

standards of the products is very important.”

Market access challenges were another focal point. The 5.5 percent EU tariff on hydrogen and

ammonia imports was widely criticized as a trade barrier, with calls for its removal under

ongoing India–EU free trade agreement negotiations. Infrastructure was flagged as equally vital,

with the Port of Antwerp and the Port of Rotterdam sharing plans to expand import facilities and

inviting Indian producers to engage directly. The Netherlands’ H2Global tender, backed by €5.5

billion from its Climate Fund, was presented as a key opportunity for Indian exporters to secure

long-term contracts in Europe.

The roundtable concluded with a strong consensus that regulatory clarity, investment certainty,

and infrastructure development must advance in lockstep to build a viable India–EU hydrogen

corridor. While challenges remain, the discussions reflected a shared determination to bridge

policy and market gaps, ensuring that ambition on both sides translates into tangible trade flows

and long-term collaboration.