India and Netherlands Deepen Strategic Partnership

¨    India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management signed a Letter of Intent on 17 May 2026 regarding Gujarat’s ambitious Kalpasar Project.

¨  The agreement focuses on collaboration in water management and sustainable infrastructure development.

¨     The objective is to share technical expertise between the two countries.

¨     Kalpasar Project involves the construction of a massive dam across the Gulf of Khambhat and the creation of a large freshwater reservoir.

¨     The project aims to strengthen irrigation, drinking water supply, and water conservation.

¨     It also includes components such as tidal energy generation, improved irrigation systems, and enhanced connectivity between Saurashtra and South Gujarat.

¨     The project is considered one of India’s largest water infrastructure initiatives.

¨ The Netherlands is a global leader in water management and maritime engineering.

¨ Under the collaboration, Dutch experts will share their technical knowledge and experience.

¨ Experience from the Netherlands’ Afsluitdijk dam is considered particularly relevant.

¨   The Afsluitdijk dam is about 32 km long and transformed a saline sea area into a freshwater reservoir.

¨  This concept is expected to guide the development approach for the Gulf of Khambhat region in Gujarat.