Water row: Karnataka CM Bommai to meet Union Minister
Bengaluru(PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said he would meet Union Water Resources Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to press the Centre to resolve water disputes related to Mekedatu balancing reservoir, Mahadayi water project and Upper Krishna Project.
Bommai said he would, if needed, lead an all-party delegation from Karnataka to meet Shekhawat in the coming weeks.
He said the State would not agree to inter-linking of Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery and Pennar unless the allocation of water and the river basins was finalised.
"After the Assembly session, I will visit Delhi and discuss all inter-State water disputes such as Mekedatu, Mahadayi and Upper Krishna Project with Jalshakti Minister Shekhawat. I will apprise political parties in Karnataka about the outcome of our meeting, he told reporters after chairing an all-party meeting.
Karnataka Water Resources Minister Govind Karjol, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, JD(S) leader Bandeppa Kashempur, Opposition Congress leader in the Karnataka Legislative Council B K Hariprasad, former water resources ministers D K Shivakumar, M B Patil and H K Patil were among those who attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister said Karjol would visit Delhi on Monday or Tuesday and convey the developments taken place here. It was decided in the meeting that Mekedatu project would be pursued before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
The officials said the matter was discussed five or six times in the CWMA and the final meeting will be convened. The proceedings have not arrived yet. We have written to the government at the Centre to release the details of the proceedings in the CWMA, Bommai said.
The Chief Minister said he would make efforts to see that in the next meeting of the CWMA the detailed project report is discussed and approved.
Stating that Karnataka would try to get the environment clearance, Bommai said, I will get in touch with the Union Water Resources Minister to fix a meeting with the CWMA.
The Chief Minister said he would apprise all the political parties in Karnataka about the outcome of their meeting with the Water Resources Minister.
Regarding Mahadayi project, Bommai said since water allocation has been done and the notification has been made by the tribunal concerned, the opposition members wanted the government to get the environmental clearance and start the work.
The Chief Minister exuded confidence that Karnataka would get the clearance and start the work. With regard to the Upper Krishna Project Stage-3, he said the project is pending for many years.
The project got stayed in 2011. After the final order of the Krishna Tribunal's final order, whenever we made our efforts, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana opposed it. The project has got delayed, Bommai said.
Regarding the interlinking of Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery and Pennar, he said everyone in the meeting were unanimous that Karnataka should give its approval only after getting its share of water.
He said the opposition leaders wanted to get the technical details of the interlinking of water. After obtaining such details, the Chief Minister said he would share them with the opposition.
On interlinking of rivers, Bommai said the basins of the four rivers first have to be finalised.
So far, no allocation has taken place. It is not possible to give our approval without finalising the allocation of water for our State. We are seeking allocation... the Chief Minister said.
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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
