USAID administrator Shah announces support for India's efforts to strengthen water, sanitation

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah, after meeting with officials from the Government of India, has announced that his organization will support India's efforts to strengthen water and sanitation, expand access to clean energy, and increase access to banking services for Indians.

"The relationship we have with India-the world's largest democracy-is among the most lasting, effective, and vital partnerships that America currently enjoys," said Shah. "Together, we are working to unlock opportunity for India's most vulnerable people and pioneer solutions that will help end extreme poverty across the globe," Shah said.

Praising India's leadership in helping to bring clean water and sanitation services to all Indians, Shah announced a new financial commitment of up to USD 20 million to support water and sanitation efforts in India, subject to the availability of funds. Shah also announced a new Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Knowledge Partnership with the Ministry of Urban Development. Under the partnership, India and the United States, in cooperation with other key partners, will share expertise and global best practices, and demonstrate innovative and scalable models in urban water and sanitation.

Shah further announced public-private leverage of up to USD 41 million in financing to provide energy services to one million Indians over three years in recognition of the deepening India-US energy partnership. In addition, Shah announced the formation of a transactions team that will partner with the public and private sectors to unlock financing for clean energy opportunities in South Asia.

Shah also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalize a partnership between USAID and Clean Energy Access Network (CLEAN) resource partners including Germany's GIZ, the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, and the Netherlands' ICCO.

Emphasising the importance of the Jan Dhan Yojana, Shah announced an initial commitment of up to USD 10 million for the initiative, subject to the availability of funds, adding that the USAID will continue to explore other opportunities to support the effort in partnership with donors and public and private stakeholders.

Shah also met with members of the Indian private sector on a range of development issues and participated in bilateral meetings with Indian government officials. He also attended several sessions of the World Economic Forum.

USAID's commitments in the national capital this week come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Washington DC, where he held a dialogue with US President Barack Obama under the operative title 'Chalein Saath Saath: Forward Together We Go' and indentified these three topics as priority areas of partnership.