India and Bhutan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the power sector following a meeting between Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, and Bhutan’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, H.E. Lyonpo Gem Tshering, in New Delhi.
The two Ministers reviewed ongoing cooperation and discussed avenues for expanding collaboration across hydropower development, cross-border electricity trade, transmission connectivity, renewable energy, institutional cooperation and capacity building.
Key hydropower projects discussed during the meeting included Punatsangchhu-I, Punatsangchhu-II, Sankosh and Chukha. The discussions also covered the importance of energy cooperation in supporting sustainable development and regional energy security.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to review the broader role of hydropower in meeting growing electricity requirements and supporting clean energy development in the region. Both sides discussed the need for continued coordination on project implementation and the development of transmission infrastructure to facilitate greater electricity exchange between the two countries.
The Ministers further highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional cooperation and technical capacity in the power sector. Continued engagement between relevant agencies of both countries is expected to support the implementation of ongoing projects and facilitate cooperation in emerging areas of the energy sector.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to further deepen collaboration through continued dialogue, close coordination and timely implementation of mutually beneficial initiatives. Lal reiterated India’s commitment to supporting the long-standing India-Bhutan power partnership, while Lyonpo Gem Tshering appreciated India’s continued support and conveyed Bhutan’s commitment to further expanding the energy relationship.
