Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan has opened the 9th India International Water Week at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Ministry of Jal Shakti is organising this five-day event from 22 to 26 September 2026, bringing together water experts, policymakers and delegates from across India and abroad.
The event focuses on the theme “Climate Resilient Water Management” at a time when India faces mounting pressure on its limited freshwater supplies due to population growth, urbanisation and climate change.
What was announced
Two new frameworks were launched during the inauguration:
- The Sustainable Urban River Management (SURM) Framework, designed to help cities manage their rivers more effectively
- An artificial intelligence and machine learning system for managing sediment in reservoirs, representing a technology-driven approach to water management
The Vice-President highlighted that India holds only 4 per cent of the world’s freshwater resources despite being home to 18 per cent of the global population and occupying 2.4 per cent of Earth’s land area. He emphasised that 10 inter-State agreements have already been signed for water sharing between different States, with the Kishau Multipurpose Project agreement involving six States cited as a model of cooperation.
The Vice-President called for behavioural change among citizens, citing everyday actions like using fewer buckets for bathing and closing taps while brushing teeth as meaningful contributions to water conservation. He stressed the need for integrated water management covering river-basin planning, groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation practices.
What this means for you
As India works towards becoming a developed economy by 2047, water will become an increasingly critical resource. The focus on climate-resilient management means investment in better technology and planning at both government and community levels. Ordinary citizens are being asked to adopt water-saving habits as part of a broader national movement, with the understanding that individual choices about water use directly affect national security and public health.