Vinod Bhat
New Delhi: A high-level bilateral meeting on Co-operation on Trans-border Rivers was held today in New Delhi between the delegation from the Royal Government of Bhutan, led by Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Minister for Energy & Natural Resources, and the delegation from the Government of India, led by Shri C R Paatil, Union Minister of Jal Shakti.
During the bilateral meeting, the two sides reviewed the ongoing cooperation between India and Bhutan in the water resources sector, with particular focus on 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 in partnership with the Government of India, and discussed measures for its expeditious implementation.
The two delegations held constructive discussions on proposals for the upgradation and strengthening of the existing hydro-meteorological network in Bhutan and the enhancement of the scope of cooperation of the existing mechanism for sharing hydrological data on trans-border rivers.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to sustainable and mutually beneficial management of trans-boundary water resources and agreed to further deepening of bilateral cooperation in the field of water resources through sustained technical collaboration, mutual trust, and regular institutional engagement.
