The first event of the ninth International Water Week India 2026 was held in New Delhi, attended by ambassadors from African countries. India highlighted its readiness to collaborate with African nations to accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6 and promote climate-resilient water security.
Strengthening Cooperation for Sustainable Development Goals
India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randeep Jaiswal, stated that this roundtable was held to "strengthen partnerships to accelerate the implementation of SDG 6 and promote climate-resilient water security, considering Africa's development and climate priorities."
Read more: Ørsted Shines with Positive Tax Opinion in Two Offshore Wind Projects in the UK
Jaiswal also added: "India is ready to work with African countries to help the African Union achieve its 2026 goal of 'ensuring sustainable access to water and safe sanitation systems to achieve the goals of the 2063 Agenda.'"
International Dialogues and Human Security
On the same day, Vikram Misri, Secretary of External Affairs of India, met with the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan in New York and emphasized the need to focus on the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people. Jaiswal stated that Misri "appreciated the role of UNAMA and announced India's continued cooperation in this regard."
Furthermore, Sidi George, Secretary of the Western Division, met with Alexander Zuev, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN for Counter-Terrorism, to discuss India's cooperation with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism.
Jaiswal further stated that "they discussed India's strong engagement against the threat of cross-border terrorism and ways to deepen this cooperation."
Dialogue with the United Arab Emirates
Separately, George met with Abdullah Ahmed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, the UAE's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, on the sidelines of the 81st UN session in New York. The two sides discussed the "growing trend of cooperation between India and the UAE in sustainability" and explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in sustainable technologies, including water management.
Jaiswal added: "They also expressed optimism about the successful hosting of the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi in December 2026."
These meetings took place as India continues its international efforts in water security, sustainability, humanitarian concerns, and counter-terrorism.
Read more: Historic Agreement Between Hexagon and Weyerhaeuser for Geothermal Energy Development in the Northwest Pacific · Sunil Gavaskar and the Reminder of a Second Chance in Indian Cricket
