India, Netherlands to promote waste-to-wealth approach

India and Netherlands on Thursday called for Indo-Dutch water cooperation as the promoted waste to wealth approach to solid waste and waste water in the Uttar Pradesh's Hindon Basin.

As per an official release by the Ministry of External Affairs, the two countries recognised innovation, technology, and governance to be the key ingredients in the water resource-cooperation.

They further committed themselves to assist Kanpur and Unnao-based leather industries to adopt eco-friendly technologies and promote water conservation by adopting efficient agriculture practices in the sugarcane industry of Uttar Pradesh.

They further pledged to intensify their resolve to enhance cooperation under the aegis of the MoU in the field of water management signed in June 2017 with focus on the Clean Ganga campaign.

The Indian officials appreciated the Netherlands-based water institutes called Deltares and IHE Delft.

Both the Prime Ministers also commended the Indo-Dutch Research call on the theme, "Water in the City" as well as the continuous exchange of information on river modeling, use of satellite data for air quality purposes and the re-use of sludge contributing to a transition towards a circular economy.

Further, The Netherlands has the second largest base for the Indian Diaspora based out of Europe.

Both Prime Ministers welcomed the strengthening of direct air connectivity between India and the Netherlands.

They highlighted that the daily direct flights between two countries have risen from 1 in 2015 to 5 today; largely owing to the partnership between KLM and Jet Airways. They also agreed that a liberal visa regime is in the interest of promoting greater people-to-people contacts and forging stronger business links.

The leaders further acknowledged the importance of shared cultural heritage and confirmed commitment to cooperate in this field.

They welcomed the initiative of the Dutch Rijksmuseum to explore the organization of an exhibition in India.

There was also a mention of Ph.D. fellowship programs supported by India's Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) at the University of Maastricht, Technical University of Delft, Erasmus University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, and Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in the Netherlands.

They also welcomed the signing of a MoU between the Foreign Service Institutes of the two countries.

The MoU is expected to provide for the exchange of information of structure and content of training programs for diplomats; identification of experts in mutually decided areas; and promote contacts and exchange of diplomats, faculty members, and experts.

Prime Minister Rutte extended his gratitude towards the Government of India for warm hospitality provided to him and his delegation. He also looked forward to welcoming him in the Netherlands.