UNITED NATIONS, Nov 10: India’s efforts to improve water management, expand access to safe drinking water and restore river ecosystems are attracting international attention, with the World Bank describing the country’s initiatives as an example for developing nations seeking sustainable solutions to water-related challenges.
Saroj Kumar Jha, Global Director for Water at the World Bank Group, praised India’s progress, calling its experience a remarkable success story that other developing countries could study and replicate.
Responding to a question from PTI during a virtual media briefing ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, Jha said India’s approach to water management offered valuable lessons for countries struggling with drinking water access, sanitation, river conservation and infrastructure development.
“For the World Bank Group, India is a remarkable success story. It’s the water journey that every single developing country is looking at,” he said.
The international conference, jointly organised by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, will take place in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10. It is expected to bring together global leaders, government representatives, policymakers and development organisations to discuss strategies for improving water security and sanitation worldwide.
Jha identified several major Indian programmes, including the Jal Jeevan Mission, Namami Gange Programme and Swachh Bharat Mission, as important examples of large-scale public initiatives that could provide practical guidance to other countries.
He said the World Bank was examining India’s overall water management framework, while acknowledging that the country continued to face challenges and needed further improvements.
According to Jha, the progress achieved through cooperation between central and state governments demonstrated how strong political leadership, financial support and public participation could contribute to large-scale development.
During his recent visit to New Delhi, Jha held discussions with Indian government officials and encouraged them to use the forthcoming UN conference as an opportunity to present the country’s experiences to the international community.
He said India had already implemented several solutions that other developing countries were currently attempting to develop, making its experience particularly valuable for nations seeking practical guidance.
Jal Jeevan Mission gains international recognition
Highlighting the achievements of the Jal Jeevan Mission, Jha said providing improved drinking water access to approximately 800 million people in less than seven years represented a significant accomplishment.
He described the scale of India’s efforts to extend drinking water facilities across rural and urban communities as unprecedented.
The programme has focused on expanding household access to tap water, particularly in rural areas where communities have traditionally depended on distant water sources.
Jha noted that the mission was continuing to evolve, with increasing attention being given to the long-term sustainability of water infrastructure, along with proper operation and maintenance.
He also pointed out that India’s sanitation experience had influenced programmes in other countries.
Citing Nigeria’s Clean Nigeria campaign, which drew inspiration from India’s Swachh Bharat Mission, Jha said Indian initiatives were already influencing development strategies across several parts of the world.
He emphasised that countries in the Global South were particularly interested in understanding how India had combined public participation, government leadership and financial resources to implement large-scale water and sanitation programmes.
According to him, the Jal Jeevan Mission offered an approach that could be adapted by other nations according to their local requirements and institutional capacities.
Namami Gange programme highlighted for river restoration
Jha also praised the Namami Gange Programme for its efforts to reduce pollution and improve the ecological condition of the River Ganga.
The initiative has been aimed at addressing pollution, improving sewage treatment infrastructure and supporting the conservation and rejuvenation of the river.
The World Bank has extended financial and institutional assistance to India’s National Mission for Clean Ganga through different funding mechanisms.
Jha stressed that rivers should not be viewed merely as water resources, as they also hold cultural, social and economic importance for communities.
“Rivers are not just rivers; they are part of our civilisation, part of the human system. People depend on these rivers for their livelihood,” he said.
He noted that protecting river ecosystems was essential for supporting communities whose livelihoods, agricultural activities and daily requirements depended on these water systems.
The recognition of the Namami Gange initiative also reflects the growing importance of integrated river management, which combines pollution control, infrastructure development and environmental protection.
World Bank support strengthens dam safety
India’s efforts to improve dam safety and infrastructure resilience also received appreciation from the World Bank official.
Jha said financial assistance from the international institution had helped India strengthen the resilience of nearly 900 dams.
He also highlighted the establishment of specialised centres of excellence aimed at improving technical expertise and strengthening institutional capabilities in dam management.
Dam safety has become an important development priority because ageing infrastructure, changing weather patterns and extreme rainfall events can increase risks to communities and surrounding regions.
Strengthening monitoring systems, improving maintenance practices and developing technical expertise are therefore essential for ensuring the long-term safety of major water infrastructure.
Jha’s remarks underlined the importance of combining financial investment with technical knowledge and institutional reforms to improve the reliability of water management systems.
Urban water management also draws praise
Apart from rural drinking water initiatives and river conservation, Jha acknowledged India’s progress in urban water management.
He particularly highlighted efforts to encourage financially capable municipalities to access capital markets for funding improvements in public services.
Such financing arrangements can help urban local bodies mobilise resources for upgrading water supply networks, improving sanitation facilities and strengthening essential infrastructure.
As India’s cities continue to expand, the demand for reliable drinking water, sewage treatment and efficient distribution systems is expected to increase.
Jha suggested that improving municipal financing mechanisms could play an important role in supporting sustainable urban development.
He said India’s experience in this area could also provide useful lessons for other developing economies seeking to improve the delivery of essential public services.
India to play an active role at UN Water Conference
Meanwhile, Stephanie Rambler, Senior Sustainable Development Officer at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said India was actively participating in preparations for the upcoming international conference.
She indicated that India was expected to send a substantial high-level government delegation and organise a special side event focusing on river cities.
The proposed event will examine issues related to water security, urban resilience and the relationship between cities and river ecosystems.
The conference programme will include seven plenary meetings and six interactive dialogues, along with several special events designed to encourage international cooperation and accelerate progress on water-related development priorities.
A major focus will be Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure universal access to clean drinking water and sanitation.
The goal also covers improvements in water quality, wastewater management, water-use efficiency and the protection of water-related ecosystems.
Developing countries continue to face considerable challenges in achieving these targets because of inadequate infrastructure, population growth, pollution, climate-related pressures and financial constraints.
The Abu Dhabi conference is expected to provide an international platform for governments and development institutions to exchange experiences, identify financing opportunities and strengthen cooperation.
Jha’s comments suggest that India’s achievements in drinking water access, sanitation, river restoration and dam safety could form an important part of these discussions.
The World Bank’s endorsement also highlights the growing international relevance of India’s public infrastructure programmes, particularly their emphasis on large-scale implementation and community participation.
As countries work towards meeting global water and sanitation commitments, India’s experience could offer practical lessons on combining government leadership, financial investment, technical capacity and public involvement to address complex water management challenges.