For the purpose of co-operating with the state engineers of adjoining states in the determination and administration of rights to interstate waters and for such other purposes as the state engineer may deem expedient, the state engineer, with the approval of the executive director and the governor, is authorized to initiate and to join in suits for the adjudication of such rights in the federal courts and in the courts of other states without requiring a petition of water users as provided by Section 73-4-1. The state engineer, with the approval of the executive director and the governor, may also commence, prosecute and defend suits to adjudicate interstate waters on behalf of this state or its citizens in the courts of other states, in federal courts, and in the Supreme Court of the United States.