NEW DELHI: India and the Netherlands have strengthened strategic partnership and cooperation in the water sector. Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil and Vice Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands, Jaap Slootmaker on September 24 chaired a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on the sidelines of the 9th India International Water Week 2026.
The meeting provided an opportunity to review and further strengthen India-Netherlands cooperation in the water sector with particular focus on advancing technical cooperation for the Kalpasar Project in Gujarat.
The project envisages creation of a freshwater reservoir using runoff from the Sabarmati, Mahi and Dhadhar rivers, supplemented by water conveyed from the Narmada River.
As part of the bilateral engagement, two Tripartite Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to facilitate cooperation for the Kalpasar Project between the Central Water Commission, Kalpasar Department, Government of Gujarat, and Dutch knowledge institutions Deltares and TU Delft.
Patil expressed happiness that Deltares and TU Delft entered into MoUs with their Indian counterparts to deepen cooperation in the execution of the Kalpasar Project and capacity building. He said that the MoUs will provide a strong basis for both countries to work together towards the successful execution of the project.
Patil noted that the Kalpasar Project was discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands in May, following which a Letter of Intent for technical cooperation was signed on May 16.
He also highlighted that during the Indian delegation’s visit to the Netherlands in July, valuable insights were received in areas including flood protection, coastal infrastructure, hydraulic modelling, sluice and pumping systems, dyke technologies and ecological solutions. He noted that there were useful parallels with the Afsluitdijk in the Netherlands, particularly in terms of engineering, water management and coastal infrastructure.
Vice Minister Slootmaker highlighted the importance of the Letter of Intent for technical cooperation on the Kalpasar Project and the opportunities it presents for further India–Netherlands cooperation. Referring to the Afsluitdijk, he said that the structure is nearly 100 years old and is now being renewed, providing an opportunity for the Netherlands to share the experience and knowledge accumulated over the past century
