Based on the ”Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Water Management between the Ministry of Interior of Hungary and the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation of the Republic of India” signed on 16 October 2016 in Budapest (MoU) for the implementation of the MoU a Joint Expert Group is established.
On 20 November 2020, the first meeting of the Joint Expert Working Group on Water, called preliminary, was held online under the bilateral water agreement. The seven-member Hungarian delegation was led by Péter Kovács, Head of Department (BM), Water Director of Hungary, and the Hungarian Co-chair of the joint working group. On the Indian side, six participants were present, and the group was led by Mr. Subodh Yadav, Deputy Secretary of State, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.
During the program, presentations were given by to sides on the situation of water management, the achieved results and further plans. The speakers outlined common areas in which cooperation could be developed. The proposal for a work program for 2021-23 was then discussed and will be finalized through an exchange of letters. Areas of cooperation outlined; Integrated water resource management; Flood protection; Drought treatment; Rehabilitation of surface and groundwater; Research and training.
The 1st meeting of the Joint Expert Group is planned in India during the Hungarian delegation visit, when the Covid-19 situation will allow such a personal meeting, hopefully in early 2021.
