The Ministry of Rural Development represented India at World Water Week 2026 in Stockholm, Sweden, to showcase the country’s community-based approaches to water security and rural development. The ministry participated in sessions discussing how national water strategies are being translated into ground-level action and how water investments can deliver lasting benefits to citizens.
World Water Week, organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute, is one of the world’s major forums where governments, researchers and development organisations share strategies on managing water challenges globally.
What India presented at the forum
Ms. Rohini R. Bhajibhakre, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Rural Development, spoke about India’s Water Vision @2047 and how it aims to ensure resilient and inclusive water security for all citizens through planning, innovation and community involvement. She highlighted two main government programmes:
- Jal Jeevan Mission: Focuses on providing safe drinking water access in rural areas
- National Initiative on Water Security (NIWS): Directs investments in water conservation, groundwater recharge and water harvesting based on groundwater conditions across different blocks, ensuring resources go to water-stressed regions
The ministry also showcased technology-driven planning tools including Yuktdhara, a geospatial platform using GIS and remote sensing for evidence-based planning; the E-Jal Application for water budgeting at the village council level; and digital dashboards for tracking implementation and finances across rural programmes.
Additionally, the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G Act, 2025) incorporates water security as a priority area, linking it to employment, livelihoods and community asset creation.
Ms. Bhajibhakre also participated in a separate session on financing water resilience, where India stressed the importance of political commitment, cooperative federalism, digital infrastructure and community-centred planning for turning water investments into real outcomes.
What this means for you
India’s emphasis on community-led water management and technology-enabled planning suggests a shift towards ensuring villages have a say in how water resources are managed locally. The combination of national schemes and digital tools indicates the government is attempting to direct water investments more precisely to areas facing shortages, rather than spreading resources evenly. Greater use of data and real-time monitoring may also improve accountability in how water projects are implemented and maintained in your area.