Haryana–Punjab CMs Hold Crucial Meeting on SYL Issue, Agree on Officer-Level Talks

Chandigarh, January 27, 2026: Haryana and Punjab on Tuesday held an important meeting in Chandigarh to discuss the long-pending Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, with Chief Ministers Nayab Singh Saini and Bhagwant Mann agreeing to take the dialogue forward at the officials’ level.
The meeting, described as cordial and constructive, saw detailed point-by-point discussions on the SYL matter. Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Shruti Choudhry and Punjab Cabinet Minister Barinder Goyal were also present during the talks.
After the meeting, both Chief Ministers addressed a joint press conference to brief the media on the outcome. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the discussions were held in a positive atmosphere, emphasising that meaningful results emerge when dialogue takes place in a healthy and harmonious environment.
Referring to the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Saini said the message of “Pavan Guru, Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat” continues to guide society, underlining the shared cultural and spiritual heritage of the region.
He said both states had mutually agreed that further deliberations on the SYL issue would now be conducted at the level of irrigation department officials to work towards a practical and sustainable solution. The Chief Minister added that such meetings were being held in line with the directions of the Supreme Court and noted that earlier discussions had also taken place under the mediation of Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann echoed similar views, stating that the meeting was conducted in a very positive atmosphere and that there was consensus on allowing officials from both states to engage in detailed discussions on the issue before taking the process forward.
Senior officials from both states, including Haryana Chief Principal Secretary Rajesh Khullar, Punjab Chief Secretary K P Sinha, Haryana Additional Chief Secretary for Irrigation and Water Resources Anurag Aggarwal, and the Advocate Generals of both states, were also present during the meeting.