NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik has called for a united effort to make “Made in India Green Hydrogen” the world’s trusted symbol of clean energy, saying India is well-positioned to lead the global hydrogen economy. Addressing the 2nd Bharat Green Hydrogen Summit 2026, organised by FICCI in New Delhi, Naik said the country’s green hydrogen mission has entered a decisive phase, where policy initiatives are steadily translating into commercial opportunities and large-scale industrial growth.
He said the global energy transition is now accelerating rapidly, with nations competing to establish leadership in clean energy technologies. According to Naik, the question is no longer whether green hydrogen will play a major role in industrial decarbonisation, but which countries will shape the future of the hydrogen economy. India, he said, has the necessary renewable energy potential, manufacturing strength and policy support to emerge as one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of green hydrogen.
National Green Hydrogen Mission Moves into Growth Phase
Naik highlighted the progress made under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, describing it as the foundation for India’s emerging hydrogen ecosystem. He said the mission has introduced a combination of production incentives, support for indigenous electrolyser manufacturing, demand creation measures and pilot projects across several industries.
According to the minister, sectors such as refineries, fertilisers, steel, shipping and mobility are already witnessing increased participation under the mission. He noted that the government’s regulatory support has helped transform policy objectives into commercially viable projects, encouraging both domestic and international investors to participate in India’s clean energy ambitions.
He added that green hydrogen is no longer viewed as a future technology but as a rapidly expanding economic opportunity capable of driving industrial development while supporting India’s climate commitments.
Hydrogen-Powered Train Reflects India’s Technological Progress
Speaking about India’s achievements, Naik pointed to the recent inauguration of the country’s first indigenously developed hydrogen-powered train as a significant milestone in the clean energy journey.
He said the project demonstrates India’s ability to develop advanced hydrogen technologies domestically while showcasing the country’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Such initiatives, he added, strengthen India’s position as an emerging global hub for hydrogen innovation and clean transportation.
However, Naik stressed that becoming a global hydrogen leader will require more than increasing production capacity. He said India must continue investing in technological innovation, cost competitiveness, skilled manpower, resilient supply chains, internationally accepted quality standards and long-term global partnerships.
He urged governments, industries, startups, academic institutions, financial organisations and international partners to work together in building a globally competitive hydrogen ecosystem.
Gujarat Strengthens Push for Green Hydrogen Investment
At the summit, Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel, Gujarat’s Minister of State for Energy and Petrochemicals, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting India’s Green Hydrogen Mission.
Patel said Gujarat is positioning itself as the country’s green hydrogen growth engine by leveraging its vast renewable energy resources, world-class port infrastructure, industrial ecosystem and dedicated Green Hydrogen Policy.
He said the state is moving beyond policy announcements and focusing on implementation by creating conditions that encourage investment, innovation and export-oriented manufacturing.
According to Patel, green hydrogen offers not only an opportunity for clean energy but also a major avenue for industrial transformation, employment generation and economic growth. He invited global investors and industry leaders to collaborate with Gujarat in building an internationally competitive green hydrogen ecosystem.
International Collaboration Remains Essential
The summit also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in accelerating the global hydrogen economy.
Ed Jager, Minister (Commercial) at the High Commission of Canada in India, said India’s ambition to become a global green hydrogen hub is both realistic and achievable. He noted that Canada is committed to strengthening collaboration with India through research partnerships, technology development, certification standards, financing support and innovation.
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According to Jager, reliable global hydrogen value chains will depend on long-term partnerships supported by stable policy frameworks and commercially sustainable projects.
NITI Aayog Calls for Faster Project Execution
Rajnath Ram, Adviser (Energy) at NITI Aayog, said India’s Green Hydrogen Mission has now entered the implementation stage after establishing a comprehensive policy framework.
He stated that government incentives for electrolyser manufacturing, demand aggregation and industry participation have laid the groundwork for rapid sectoral expansion.
Ram said the next phase should focus on accelerating project execution, strengthening domestic demand, enabling bankable offtake agreements and creating resilient supply chains. These measures, he added, would enable India to become a trusted global supplier of green hydrogen and related products.
Industry Sees Massive Export Opportunity
Industry leaders participating in the summit described green hydrogen as one of India’s biggest industrial opportunities over the coming decade.
Derek Michael Shah, Chair of the FICCI Green Hydrogen Committee and CEO & Managing Director of L&T Energy GreenTech, said India’s renewable energy capacity, manufacturing expertise and supportive policy environment provide a strong competitive advantage.
He stressed that success would require integrated development across renewable energy generation, hydrogen production, logistics, storage, manufacturing and end-use industries.
Vipul Tuli, Chair of the FICCI Renewable Energy CEOs Committee and President & CEO of Renewables West at Sembcorp Industries, said green hydrogen can strengthen India’s energy security while supporting industrial decarbonisation and expanding export opportunities.
During the event, FICCI and EY jointly released the report “Towards a Green Hydrogen Economy: India’s Export Competitiveness and Strategic Outlook.” The report outlines a roadmap for positioning India as a leading exporter of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
FICCI Director General Jyoti Vij said India aims to secure nearly 10 percent of the global green hydrogen market by 2030 by developing world-class export infrastructure, strengthening supply chains and building strategic international partnerships. The summit concluded with a strong consensus that sustained cooperation between government, industry and global stakeholders will be essential for making India a leading force in the global green hydrogen economy.
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