On Monday, The Government of India and the Government of Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, including waste management. The signing ceremony took place at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Shri C R Patil, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Government of India, and Pradeep Yadav, Hon’ble Minister of Water Supply, Government of Nepal.
The agreement aims to promote collaboration between the two nations and strengthen intergovernmental cooperation in the WASH sector, ensuring better access to clean drinking water and sanitation for their populations. The comprehensive MoU outlines a collaborative framework encompassing several key areas:-
- Capacity Building: Training programs for Nepali personnel in water resource management and related fields.
- Technology & Knowledge Transfer: Sharing of technological expertise and best practices between India and Nepal in WASH sector.
- Groundwater Management: Joint efforts in monitoring, assessment, and management of groundwater resources, including quality improvement, artificial recharge, and rainwater harvesting.
During the event, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C R Patil, highlighted India’s significant achievements under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in providing clean drinking water and sanitation facilities to all citizens. Shri Patil emphasized that this MoU reflects the shared commitment of India and Nepal towards public health, sustainability, and regional cooperation. Hon’ble Minister of Water Supply, Government of Nepal Pradeep Yadav, commended India’s success in implementing large-scale clean drinking water and sanitation initiatives. He stated that Nepal looks forward to learn from India’s experience in these sectors and that Nepali officials will visit key sites in India to gain insights and best practices. He further proposed that regular meetings should be held to ensure steady progress and mutual exchange of knowledge.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials from both countries, including H.E. Mr. Naveen Srivastava, Ambassador of India to Nepal, and H.E. Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma, Ambassador of Nepal to India, along with Secretaries Ms. Debashree Mukherjee and Mr. Ashok Kumar Meena, and other distinguished delegates.
