Star News Agency
New Delhi. The Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Australia have signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the field of Water Resources Management here today. The MoU was signed by Shri U.N.Punjiar, Secretary of Ministry of Water Resources and Mr Peter N.Varghese, Australian High Commissioner to India. Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal, the Union Minister of Water Resources was present on the occasion.

The cooperation will focus on sharing of policy and technical information and experiences in the development and management of water resources both surface and ground water and particularly river basin management and impact of climate change on water resources. Further, both the governments will encourage direct engagements between officials, study tours and other such activities in order to acquaint themselves of the developments in the above areas.

Exchange of information and experiences in the field of water resources management between the two countries will be consistent with each Government’s respective domestic procedures and resources. A Joint Working Group will be formed comprising of equal number of members from each of the countries which will monitor the engagement carried out in fulfillment of this Memorandum of Understanding. The MoU will be in effect for a period of five years and can be extended with the agreement between the two parties.