• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was apprised of an MoU between the ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of Australia for Australia-India Water Security Initiative (AIWASI).

• The MoU will enable both sides to learn about technological advancements gained by two nations in key areas of urban water security and will promote exchange of learning, best practices and capacity building of institutions.

• It would reinforce bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the area of urban water security.

Objectives:

i) Strengthen institutional capacities at all levels for urban water management.

ii) Improve accessibility, affordability and quality of water and sanitation services.

iii) Promote circular economy of water and water secure cities.

iv) Encourage climate resilient water management practices.

v) Enhance community participation in water management.

vi) Improve social inclusion through initiatives for accessible infrastructure.

• The Australia-India Water Security Initiative (AIWASI) delivers on the commitment to strengthen water security cooperation under the auspices of the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

• The initiative will pair Australia’s expertise in water and urban design with Indian counterpart agencies and institutes – known as a “twinning arrangement” – to address the increasing challenges associated with providing water and sanitation to cities.  

• The partnership will create opportunities for Australia’s private sector to develop and implement world-leading water management systems.

Australian Water Partnership

• Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has placed India at the forefront of its international relationships, and water is a key element of this cooperation as is evidenced by the formal cooperation between the governments of India and Australia regarding water issues which began in 2009.

• India is a priority country for the Australian Water Partnership (AWP) for diplomatic, hydrological, and commercial reasons, but also in its aim to support countries where Australia’s knowledge and experience can have a positive outcome for water management practices and for communities.

• AWP is providing technical assistance to the National Hydrology Project, which aims to improve water management across India at national and state levels.

• In December 2015, the AWP Advisory Committee endorsed a proposal from the World Bank to facilitate technical assistance for the National Hydrology Project in India in seven areas, including surface-groundwater interactions, river basin planning, water information systems, water accounting and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).

• AWP continues to support the third phase of the National Hydrology Project (NHP-III).

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