On September 24, Minister for Jal Shakti C R Patil and Netherlands Vice Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management Jaap Slootmaker met in New Delhi to discuss strengthening India‑Netherlands cooperation in the water sector. The bilateral meeting took place at Bharat Mandapam on the sidelines of the 9th India International Water Week 2026 and focused on advancing technical cooperation for the Kalpasar Project in Gujarat.
During the engagement, two tripartite Memoranda of Understanding were signed. The agreements involve the Central Water Commission, the Kalpasar Department of the Government of Gujarat, and Dutch knowledge institutions Deltares and TU Delft. The MoUs aim to facilitate cooperation for the Kalpasar Project and to enhance capacity building between the parties.
Patil expressed satisfaction with the new agreements, stating that they would provide a strong foundation for the successful execution of the project. He recalled that the Kalpasar Project was discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands in May, when a Letter of Intent for technical cooperation was signed on May 16. The project seeks to create a freshwater reservoir using runoff from the Sabarmati, Mahi and Dhadhar rivers, supplemented by water from the Narmada River. Patil also highlighted insights gained during the Indian delegation’s July visit to the Netherlands, covering flood protection, coastal infrastructure, hydraulic modelling, sluice and pumping systems, dyke technologies and ecological solutions.
Vice Minister Slootmaker underscored the importance of the Letter of Intent and the opportunities it presents for further India‑Netherlands collaboration. He drew parallels with the Afsluitdijk, noting its nearly 100‑year‑old structure is currently being renewed, offering a chance for the Netherlands to share the experience and knowledge accumulated over the past century. The Ministry said the MoUs will facilitate technical collaboration by sharing Dutch expertise and advanced engineering practices for the planning, design and implementation of the project.
