A delegation led by K V L Kantha Rao, Secretary at the Jal Shakti ministry, recently visited the Netherlands to bolster bilateral cooperation in water management. The visit aimed to facilitate technical consultations on the Kalpasar Project in Gujarat. During the trip, the team engaged with key officials and institutions, including the Director General in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier visited the Afsluitdijk Dam in the Netherlands with his Dutch counterpart, Rob Jetten, commending the country for its pioneering work in water management. PM Modi highlighted the Netherlands’ expertise in water resources, emphasizing the potential for mutual learning and collaboration in areas such as irrigation, flood control, and inland waterway development.
The Ministry of External Affairs noted that PM Modi’s visit underscored the importance of Dutch knowledge for India’s Kalpasar Project, which seeks to establish a freshwater reservoir and dam near the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat. The visit also highlighted opportunities for enhanced cooperation between India and the Netherlands in climate resilience, water technology, and sustainable infrastructure.
