Prime Minister Modi Visits Dutch Water Management Project
New Delhi, May 18, 2026 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a significant trip on Sunday to the renowned Afsluitdijk, a 32-kilometer dam and causeway in the Netherlands. This impressive structure is recognized worldwide for its role in flood control and land reclamation, safeguarding vast areas of the country from the North Sea while facilitating fresh water storage.
During his visit, Modi was joined by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten. The occasion comes as India and the Netherlands have recently signed a Letter of Intent concerning the Kalpasar Project in Gujarat. This agreement, made between India’s Jal Shakti Ministry and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, focuses on technical collaboration.
The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that this visit showed a mutual commitment to innovative water management solutions, climate resilience, and sustainable infrastructure between the two nations.
The leaders pointed out the similarities between the Afsluitdijk and India’s ambitious Kalpasar Project, which aims to build a freshwater reservoir in the Gulf of Khambhat. This project will also integrate tidal power generation, improve irrigation, and bolster transportation infrastructure.
In his remarks on social media, Prime Minister Modi praised the Netherlands for its expertise in water resources, stating, “There is much the global community can learn from them.” He expressed India’s goal to incorporate modern technology to improve irrigation, manage floods, and expand its inland waterway network.
Prime Minister Jetten echoed this sentiment, noting that the Netherlands is keen to enhance cooperation in the water sector. He remarked, “If there’s one thing the Netherlands excels at, it is dealing with water. India has shown significant interest in our expertise in this area.”
This visit strengthens the strategic partnership between India and the Netherlands in water management, with an emphasis on sustainability and innovation.
