Bhutan's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Lyonpo Gem Tshering, held two bilateral meetings in New Delhi to review cooperation in power and water resources. He met Union Power Minister Manohar Lal and Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil. The talks covered hydropower projects, electricity trade, shared rivers, flood management and hydrological data.
Manohar Lal, who is Union Minister of Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, and Gem Tshering reviewed ongoing cooperation and discussed ways to strengthen collaboration across the energy sector. The two sides described the power partnership as a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship.
The ministers discussed hydropower development, cross-border electricity trade, transmission connectivity, renewable energy, institutional cooperation and capacity building. They also reviewed progress under the bilateral institutional mechanisms set up for regular engagement in the power sector. The hydropower projects discussed included Punatsangchhu-I, Punatsangchhu-II, Sankosh and Chukha.
Both sides said energy cooperation supports sustainable development and regional energy security, and committed to continued dialogue, close coordination and timely implementation of mutually beneficial initiatives. Manohar Lal reiterated India's commitment to supporting the partnership in the power sector. Gem Tshering thanked India for its continued support and said Bhutan was committed to expanding the energy partnership further.
A high-level bilateral meeting on Co-operation on Trans-border Rivers was also held in New Delhi, with Gem Tshering leading the Bhutanese delegation and Paatil the Indian one.
The two sides reviewed cooperation in the water resources sector, including trans-border river management, flood forecasting and flood management, hydrological data sharing and other areas of mutual interest.
The ministers also reviewed progress on the Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project, which is being implemented in Bhutan in partnership with the Government of India, and discussed measures to speed it up.
The delegations held what the Indian side described as constructive discussions on two proposals. One is to upgrade and strengthen the existing hydro-meteorological network in Bhutan. The other is to enhance the scope of cooperation under the existing hydrological data sharing mechanism on trans-border rivers.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable and mutually beneficial management of trans-boundary water resources. They agreed to deepen cooperation through sustained technical collaboration, mutual trust and regular institutional engagement.
With reference to the recent bilateral meetings between India and Bhutan in New Delhi, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Consider the following hydropower projects:
How many of the above projects were among those discussed by the Power Ministers of India and Bhutan?
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The Indian side described the discussions on two proposals relating to data and monitoring as constructive.
Statement-II: One proposal is to enhance the scope of cooperation under the existing hydrological data sharing mechanism on trans-border rivers.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
