NEW DELHI, Jan 16: India and the United States signed an agreement on Wednesday on environment protection in the areas of management of toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes.

The agreement signed in New Delhi by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christine Whitman and Indian Environment Minister T.R. Baalu also provides for maintenance of the quality of river waters and for launching public awareness campaigns on the environment.

The agreement envisages the implementation of international environmental agreements and finalising the environmental dimension of trade and investment liberalisation regime between the two countries.

According to the agreement, the two countries would “form a long-term partnership to pursue cooperative activities for the protection of the environment and sustainable development”.

The activities include information exchange, workshops, seminars and undertaking of joint research and training projects.—dpa