India joins Horizon Europe fully from 2027, EU statement says

India and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in trade, trusted technology, and security, and agreed to upgrade the TTC's governance structure to facilitate stronger business engagement and concrete outcomes.

Who it concerns: The agreement involves India and the European Union. It concerns the European Commission (including Commissioners for Tech Sovereignty, Trade, and Research), the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Sectors and groups affected include the semiconductor industry, ICT workers, researchers, innovators, the automotive sector (EV charging), agri-food producers, pharmaceutical manufacturers (APIs), clean technology industries (solar, wind, hydrogen), and businesses involved in digital services and trade facilitation.

What was agreed

• Upgrade the TTC format to include stronger business engagement and specific value chain work, with detailed governance arrangements to be agreed later in 2026.
• Commence formal negotiations for India’s association to Horizon Europe (EUR 93.5 billion program), aiming to conclude before the end of 2026 so Indian researchers can participate from 2027.
• Establish the first India-EU Innovation Hub focused on Electric Vehicle Charging Technologies and Testing, driven by the EU Joint Research Centre and the Automotive Research Association of India.
• Implement a joint investment of EUR 60 million over four years for collaborative research in waste-to-hydrogen, marine pollution, and EV battery recycling.
• Develop a practical cooperation framework on semiconductors, including a joint roundtable during Semicon India 2026 and collaboration between India Semiconductor Mission facilities and EU Pilot Lines for access to Process Design Kits (PDKs).
• Explore a pilot linking the EU Digital Identity Wallet and the Indian DigiLocker for citizens and entities.
• Advance cooperation on 6G standardisation, high-performance computing (HPC), and quantum technologies.
• Facilitate access for Indian entities to accredited verifiers for carbon border adjustment mechanisms.
• Pursue mutual equivalence recognition for organic products to facilitate trade.

Also in the document

• India’s association with Horizon Europe is described as a historic and strategic shift towards a long-term institutional framework, allowing full participation from 2027.
• A specific joint investment of EUR 60 million over four years has been allocated for three coordinated research calls in Horizon Europe.
• The establishment of the first India-EU Innovation Hub for EV Charging Technologies and Testing is a new operational platform connecting research, testing infrastructure, and startup ecosystems.
• Collaboration includes specific projects on waste-to-hydrogen (BHARAT-EU and BioHAVEN) and marine pollution (SEATRACE and HARMONY) with pilot sites across the Atlantic, Arctic, Mediterranean, and Indian Ocean.
• The text references the 'Towards 2030: A Joint India-European Union Comprehensive Strategic Agenda' adopted on 27 January 2026 as the basis for upgrading the TTC.