India, Nepal Sign MoU for WASH Sector Development

On Monday, India and Nepal formalized a partnership to enhance water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives, including waste management, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The signing ceremony took place at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi, with India’s Union Minister of Jal Shakti, CR Patil, and Nepal’s Minister of Water Supply, Pradeep Yadav, in attendance.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu shared on social media that this agreement strengthens bilateral cooperation in water conservation, sanitation, and waste management, contributing to a more sustainable future for both nations. The MoU is designed to promote collaboration and improve access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities across India and Nepal.

A key component of the agreement is knowledge-sharing, with training programs planned to enhance Nepali officials’ expertise in water resource management. Additionally, India and Nepal will exchange technological advancements and best practices in WASH initiatives. Groundwater conservation is also a priority, with both countries committing to joint monitoring, quality enhancement, artificial recharge, and rainwater harvesting.

During the event, CR Patil highlighted India’s achievements in providing clean drinking water and sanitation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He noted that the MoU reflects both countries’ commitment to public health, sustainability, and regional cooperation. Nepal’s Minister Pradeep Yadav praised India’s large-scale sanitation efforts and expressed Nepal’s eagerness to learn from these initiatives. He also suggested holding regular meetings to ensure steady progress and ongoing knowledge exchange.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials from both countries, including Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, Nepal’s Ambassador to India Shankar Prasad Sharma, and other key delegates.