India and the Netherlands today held their first Ministerial-level meeting of the Joint Working Group in New Delhi. Addressing the event, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat expressed his delight at the progress of Indo-Dutch cooperation since the signing of the Strategic Water Partnership in March last year. He thanked the Netherlands government for supporting some submissions made at the United Nations Water Conference 2023 in New York. The Minister stated that the submission includes River-Cities Alliance for river-sensitive cities and technologically-driven nature-based solutions for river rejuvenation.
Mr Shekhawat also informed that the Netherlands is engaged with various States and Municipalities including in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra in various water resources projects.
Speaking on the occasion, Dutch Infrastructure and Water Management Minister Mark Harbers underlined that strong cooperation is imperative to find proper solutions to similar climate and environmental issues across the world. He also expressed his happiness at the contribution that both countries are making to the Water Action Agenda.
