A small group of Israeli and Palestinian experts in hydrology and strategic affairs met in Mumbai on 6-7 June 2015, to discuss ways to improve water relations. The closed door meeting was convened by the Strategic Foresight Group (SFG) in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. The meeting concluded with concrete recommendations on steps that can improve the conditions of particularly marginalized populations.

Strategic Foresight Group has been involved in consultations with Israeli and Palestinian experts since October 2014, when it had convened a workshop at the Oxford University. The focus of these consultations has been on improving the functionality of institutional mechanisms for cooperation. This approach is based on the premise that once the mechanisms of cooperation work efficiently and in a manner that addresses the concerns of both parties, it would be possible for the parties themselves to implement various collaborative ideas. This initiative is within the Blue Peace in the Middle East framework.

As the meeting in Mumbai resulted in concrete outcomes, SFG will continue its engagement on this issue in the second half of 2015.

The meeting also provided Israeli and Palestinian experts and the participating representatives of the Government of Switzerland an opportunity to interact with prominent Indian leaders and experts from various fields.