Water sector: India-Netherlands enter strategic partnership

India and the Netherlands have entered a strategic partnership in the water sector to consolidate ongoing cooperation and better coherence in the area. Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Sandeep Chakravorty, told the media that in a virtual summit held between India and Netherlands, the two countries have agreed to elevate the Joint Working Group on Water to a Ministerial Level. The two countries also discussed broadening bilateral cooperation in new areas of the water segment, including water budgeting, cost-effective decentralise treatment technology, converting waste-water to energy and river hazard management. Chakravorty said both the countries have announced to set up a fast track mechanism to facilitate bilateral trade and to resolve issues of Dutch and Indian companies. The two countries also discussed collaboration in the field of agriculture, urban development and space. On regional and global issues, the two countries reaffirmed the commitment to multilateralism and agreed to work together towards climate change challenges, counter-terrorism, sustainable development goal and the Covid-19 pandemic. Image Source