India

New Delhi, August 6: The 21st edition of EAW Global Aqua Expo 2026, one of India’s largest exhibitions dedicated to water and wastewater management, opened at Bharat Mandapam on Thursday, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, technology companies, researchers and water-sector experts to deliberate on the country’s evolving water challenges and sustainable solutions. Organised by the Earth Water Foundation, the three-day event is being held under the theme “Shaping the Future of Water Through Innovation, Sustainability and Collaboration.”

The Expo was inaugurated by Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Government of India, who underscored the critical role of water security in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Addressing delegates from government, industry and academia, the Minister said sustainable water management must become a national priority, driven by cooperation among governments, businesses, technology innovators, researchers and local communities. He stressed that innovation, policy reforms and circular water management practices would be essential to building resilient water infrastructure capable of meeting India’s future domestic, agricultural and industrial needs.

The inauguration began with the traditional Jal Kalash Ceremony, followed by the inaugural session titled “India Water Mandate 2030,” which set the tone for discussions on India’s long-term water strategy. The session focused on strengthening water governance, promoting advanced technologies, encouraging sustainable resource management and accelerating policy initiatives to address increasing water stress across the country.

Welcoming participants, Ms. Shivani Ghorawat, Founder of Earth Water Foundation, said the Expo has evolved significantly over the past two decades. She noted that what began as an initiative to bring together fragmented discussions on water has now become a national platform where governments, industries, technology providers and water professionals collaborate to develop practical and scalable solutions for the sector.

The inaugural session also featured addresses by Dr. Ambika Sharma, Assistant Secretary General of ASSOCHAM, and Mr. Siddharth K. Desai, Co-Chair of the ASSOCHAM National Council on Water and Joint Managing Director of KISHOR Pumps, who outlined the importance of stronger public-private collaboration, technological innovation and policy support in ensuring sustainable water management. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Turbaashu Bhattacharya, Co-Chair of the ASSOCHAM National Council on Water.

A key highlight of the opening day was the ASSOCHAM Water Leaders Summit on “Navigating India’s Water Transition: Technology, Policy and Circularity.” Experts discussed emerging challenges in industrial water security, climate resilience, wastewater reuse, circular economy practices and the application of artificial intelligence in water management. Participants emphasised that rapid urbanisation, industrial growth and climate change require integrated planning, advanced monitoring systems and greater investment in sustainable water infrastructure.

The CEO’s Water Leadership Forum, moderated by Mr. Shankar Venkateswaran, brought together senior executives from IOTA Group, WOG Group, VA Tech Wabag and Microfilter Polymers Limited to discuss industry-led innovation and collaboration. The panel explored strategies for improving industrial water efficiency, expanding wastewater recycling, adopting smart technologies and strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors to enhance water security.

Spread across multiple exhibition halls, the Expo combines five integrated platformsExhibition, Conference, Business, Market Access and Knowledgeto facilitate dialogue, business networking and technology exchange. More than a conventional trade exhibition, the event provides opportunities for policymakers, utilities, startups, MSMEs and researchers to engage with solution providers and explore emerging technologies in water treatment, wastewater management, desalination, digital monitoring systems and sustainable infrastructure. The Global Water Business Lounge and Innovation Spotlight Arena are serving as dedicated platforms for business meetings, product launches and startup demonstrations.

The remaining two days of the Expo will feature the World Sustainable Water Summit, technical conferences on water infrastructure, financing, rainwater harvesting, water reuse and regional cooperation, along with specialised training sessions under the EAW Water Academy. Industry experts expect these discussions to generate policy recommendations, encourage investment and strengthen partnerships that support India’s long-term water security agenda.

As India faces growing pressure on freshwater resources due to urbanisation, industrial expansion and climate variability, EAW Global Aqua Expo 2026 seeks to provide a collaborative platform where government agencies, businesses, researchers and innovators can develop practical solutions to ensure sustainable water management. The organisers believe the event will contribute to advancing technological innovation, strengthening institutional partnerships and supporting the country’s transition towards a resilient and water-secure future.