Australia- India Water Centre Inaugurated by IIT Guwahati

Australia-India Water Centre was inaugurated by IIT Guwahati virtually through a Webinar on November 6, 2020.  in view of the pandemic situation. Dignitaries that virtually attending the event include Dan Tehan who is the Minister for Education – Government of Australia, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat who is the minister of Jal Shakti Ministry,  Indian High Commissioner to Australia, Australian High Commissioner to India.

Areas of Discussion

Both the sides discussed the water issues and challenges of India and Australia. They also shared many common elements such as natural extremes of floods and droughts, to increase competition for water between urban, peri-urban and rural sectors and the increased threats to water security from climate change. The countries also discussed the increased pressures because of over-exploitation and water quality degradation of surface and groundwater resources.

Background

India and Australia recently discussed the challenges in June 2020 at the virtual summit of the Prime Ministers of Australia and India and stated that “Water security is a critical challenge for both countries. Both the countries then decided to deepen the policy and technical cooperation on mutually agreed activities so as to improve water management and sustainable economic development. In the line, a number of universities, research organisations and business partners from Australia and India committed to establish the Australia India Water Centres (AIWC).

MoU for Australia India Water Centre

The signed MoU attempts to establish an understanding of cooperation for the Australia India Water Centre (AIWC) between both the countries. These water centre will enable the partners from both the sides to explore opportunities and create synergy for a longer-term collaboration in the arena of research and education. The proposed activities under the MoU include- to develop longer-term collaboration in water research, capacity building and knowledge and technology transfer.  The MoU particularly focusing on water and food security, safe drinking water supplies, water-energy-food nexus, river health, water for liveable cities and other related aspects. It will be developed by tools and techniques to tackle future water and food security challenges.