The European Union and India sign a working arrangement on industrial aviation production
Marking a key step in bilateral cooperation, the European Union and India have concluded a Working Arrangement between the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India in the field of industrial aviation production. The arrangement supports industrial cooperation between India and the EU and ‘Make in India’ production aligned with EU standards, including the assembly of Airbus Helicopters H125/AS350 aircraft in Karnataka, India.
This outcome follows the EU-India Summit held in January 2026, where civil aviation safety was identified as a critical focus area. Following the adoption of the Strategic Joint Agenda, the EU and India are both working at scale and speed to serve their mutual interests. This initiative will help to consolidate cooperation to ensure high civil aviation safety standards.
The working arrangements were signed on 23 March 2026, ahead of the workshop held on 24-26 March in New Delhi under the EU–South Asia Aviation Partnership Project, bringing together aviation authorities, airlines, and industry representatives from across the region. The activity, organised by the EASA in close cooperation with the DGCA and with the support of European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR, focused on strengthening practical collaboration and sharing operational experience. Given the increasing challenges facing the aviation sector, the European Union and its South Asian partners reaffirmed the importance of cooperation to ensure safe, resilient, and sustainable air transport at the meeting.
Discussions during the workshop also addressed day-to-day flight operations and common regional challenges, highlighting the value of continued dialogue between regulators, operators, and industry in improving safety and performance.
Both initiatives reflect the European Union’s broader commitment to working in partnership with India and South Asian countries to promote high standards of aviation safety, support regulatory cooperation, and accompany the sustainable development of the sector.
EU-India: As the world's two largest democracies, the European Union and India share a commitment to a rules-based global order, effective multilateralism, and sustainable development. Since 2004, India has been a strategic partner of the EU, and 2022 celebrated the 60th anniversary of their relations. Following the 16th EU-India Summit, bilateral cooperation is driven by the Strategic Joint Agenda, the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC), and the Global Gateway Strategy. With over 50 EU India sectoral dialogues, the partnership prioritises efficient implementation to deliver at scale and speed for the benefit of people in both regions.