A high-level bilateral meeting between India and Bhutan on cooperation in trans-border rivers was held in New Delhi today. The Indian delegation was led by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C R Patil, while the Bhutanese delegation was headed by Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Lyonpo Gem Tshering. The two sides reviewed the ongoing cooperation in the water resources sector, with focus on trans-border river management, flood forecasting and management, and hydrological data sharing. The two sides also reviewed the progress of the Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan, being implemented in partnership with the Indian government, and discussed measures for its expeditious completion.
The delegations also discussed proposals to upgrade and strengthen Bhutan’s existing hydro-meteorological network and expand cooperation under the existing mechanism for sharing hydrological data on trans-border rivers. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the sustainable and mutually beneficial management of trans-boundary water resources and agreed to deepen cooperation through sustained technical collaboration, mutual trust and regular institutional engagement.
