New Delhi : India and Bhutan held a high-level bilateral meeting on cooperation in trans-border rivers in New Delhi to review ongoing collaboration in the water resources sector and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The Bhutanese delegation was led by Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Minister for Energy and Natural Resources, while the Indian delegation was headed by Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Paatil.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed cooperation in trans-border river management, flood forecasting and flood management, hydrological data sharing, and other areas of mutual interest.
The Ministers also reviewed the progress of the Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project, which is being implemented in Bhutan with the support of the Government of India, and discussed measures to expedite its implementation.
The two delegations held detailed discussions on proposals to upgrade and strengthen Bhutan’s existing hydro-meteorological network and expand the scope of the current mechanism for sharing hydrological data on trans-border rivers.
Reaffirming their commitment to the sustainable and mutually beneficial management of shared water resources, India and Bhutan agreed to further deepen cooperation through technical collaboration, mutual trust and regular institutional engagement in the water resources sector.