India is at a critical juncture in its clean energy transition, with green hydrogen offering a transformative opportunity to diversify the country’s energy mix and allow the country to participate in the future of global energy trade.
Despite global momentum around green hydrogen having slowed, a realistic near-term market is emerging. Updated outlooks suggest that the European Union (EU) and East Asia, together, could import 3.4–6 million tons of green hydrogen per year by 2030.
India can compete for a meaningful share by leveraging low-cost renewables, efficient green hydrogen production, and early port initiatives, translating announcements into bankable projects and competitive landed prices. Our analysis shows that India’s delivered cost to Rotterdam (US$794/t) is among the most cost competitive, alongside Brazil and Chile (see Exhibit below).
To translate this advantage into trade as well as become a reliable supplier of green hydrogen and its derivatives, India will need to address key challenges around demand uncertainty, financing, and regulatory and infrastructure gaps. This report analyzes market demand trends, cost competitiveness, and four critical trade enablers for India’s green hydrogen export ecosystem: infrastructure preparedness, standards and certifications, strategic partnerships and global agreements, and trade and financial de-risking mechanisms (see Exhibit below). Each enabler is analyzed through a clear three-part matrix: the global landscape, India’s current development, and challenges and opportunities for India.
Taken together, these enablers lay the groundwork for India’s active role in the global green hydrogen trade. This report presents six strategic recommendations to translate ambition into actual export volumes and position India as a reliable, cost-competitive supplier of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
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Build mutual trade partnerships with major importers like the EU, Japan, and South Korea to secure long-term offtake agreements, supported by corridors and free trade agreements.
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Harmonize India’s certification with global standards and establish mutual recognition to ease cross-border trade.
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Develop hydrogen-ready export infrastructure at key ports through cross-border investments with Germany, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea to create a competitive export ecosystem.
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Expand the country’s demand aggregation model, leveraging SECI’s auction approach and adapting H2Global mechanisms to stabilize prices and attract buyers.
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Establish green shipping corridors with ports in Singapore, Rotterdam, and Busan to emerge as a clean maritime fuel supplier.
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Develop dedicated financing mechanisms, including export credit agencies and multilateral institutions, to de-risk projects and mobilize large-scale investment.
