India will allocate $1 million for the restoration of the Aral Sea region.
India has announced a $1 million partnership with Uzbekistan for restoration work in the Aral Sea region as part of a broader effort to bridge the two countries' environmental initiatives.
India will provide Uzbekistan with US$1 million to support restoration efforts in the Aral Sea region. This was announced by Sibi George, Secretary (Western) of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, at a press briefing on the results of the Indian Prime Minister's state visit to Uzbekistan.
According to George, the two leaders noted the similarities between Uzbekistan's "Yashil Makon" initiative and India's "Plant for Maze" program, both of which are aimed at greening and ecological restoration. In this regard, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the allocation of US$1 million to Uzbekistan as part of the Indian government's grant program for the restoration of the Aral Sea region.
Sibi George emphasized the importance of this initiative, given the "serious environmental challenges" of the region, such as desertification, soil salinization, and the spread of salt and dust from the exposed seabed. He noted that Indian support under the grant program will facilitate Uzbekistan's efforts to reforest and restore the affected areas.
The diplomat also added that this initiative is a "concrete expression" of the rapprochement between Uzbekistan's "Yashil Makon" program and India's "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign, and confirms both countries' commitment to environmental sustainability and the fight against climate change.