NEW DELHI – India is seeking Israel’s help to ensure functional tap-waterto every Indian household by 2024 with a senior minister visiting thecountry next week to fulfill the government’s mission, India’s envoy herehas said. During his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modisaid that more than Rs 3.5 lakh crore will be spent in the coming yearsunder the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ to bring piped water to households by 2024.

“During the historic visit of our Prime Minister (Modi) to Israel in July2017, India and Israel agreed to establish a ‘Strategic Partnership inWater and Agriculture’ in view of the centrality of these areas todevelopment.

Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the Government of India isaccording top priority to conservation, development and management of waterresources”, India’s newly appointed Ambassador to Israel, Sanjeev Singla,told PTI.

“The visit by Jal Shakti Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is significantas both sides will explore possible areas for further collaboration andtangible outcomes. It is also in line with the Prime Minister’s vision toensure functional tap-water to every household in India by 2024 under theJal Jeevan Mission,” Singla, who served as Private Secretary to PrimeMinister Modi, emphasised.

Israel has made water recycling an integral part of daily life.

More than 80 per cent of household waste water is recycled, amounting to400 million cubic meters a year, the Environment Ministry says. That ratiois four times higher than in any other country, according to Israel’s waterauthority.

Shekhawat, who will be on a three day visit to Israel between November 17and 19, will interact with Yuval Steinitz, Israel’s Minister of Energy, whois also responsible for natural resources like water, with leading expertsin the field of water management, some identified Israeli companies activein the field and other relevant stake-holders.

Shekhawat will co-chair the India-Israel Strategic Partnership on Waterbeing organised by the Embassy of India in Tel Aviv, along with the IsraeliMinistry of Energy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on November 18, 2019.