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On Tuesday, a joint meeting was held in Chandigarh to address the long-standing issue of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal project. This meeting was convened in accordance with directives from the Supreme Court, which urged both states to resolve the matter through dialogue. Attending the meeting were Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, along with Haryana Cabinet Minister Shruti Chaudhary and Punjab Cabinet Minister Barinder Goyal, as well as several senior administrative officials from both states.

Following discussions with Punjab's Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Haryana's Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini remarked that meaningful conversations took place in a positive atmosphere. It was decided that discussions would continue at the official level between both states. Chief Minister Mann echoed this sentiment, stating that the talks were constructive and emphasized that Haryana is not an adversary but a brother state. Both sides agreed to meet regularly to seek a resolution without compromising the rights of either state.

In May of the previous year, the Supreme Court instructed both states to collaborate with the central government to amicably resolve the decades-old canal dispute. The SYL canal project was designed to ensure the fair and efficient distribution of water from the Ravi and Beas rivers between Punjab and Haryana. The project entails the construction of a 214-kilometer canal, with 122 kilometers located in Punjab and the remaining 92 kilometers in Haryana.

In a related development, the World Bank has approved a technical and financial assistance package of ₹5,700 crores under the 'Water-Secure Haryana Project', aimed at making the state self-sufficient in the water sector. During a meeting in Chandigarh regarding this initiative, Haryana's Chief Minister stated that the funds will be disbursed in phases over six years, from 2026 to 2032.