Prez emphasizes India's commitment to development of Bhutan's hydropower sector

President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday reiterated India's commitment towards developing the hydropower sector in Bhutan, adding that cooperation in that sector is an 'outstanding example' of win-win cooperation between the two countries.

"Hydropower cooperation between Bhutan and India is an outstanding example of win-win cooperation. It provides significant export revenues for Bhutan, generates clean electricity for India and strengthens our bilateral economic linkages. Three hydro-electric projects (HEPs) totalling 1416 MW are already operational in Bhutan. They are currently supplying electricity to India. Three more HEPs totalling 2940 MW are under construction. They are on schedule to be commissioned in 2018," President Mukherjee told Bhutan newspaper Kuensel in an interview on the eve of his state visit to the landlocked kingdom.

Speaking of future projects, President Mukherjee said that India will take up all future HEPs once the techno-economic appraisal is complete of each enterprise is complete.

"An agreement on four new JV-model HEPs, totaling 2120 MW was signed in April 2014. The implementation of the 600MW Kholongchu HEP has commenced under this agreement. We will take up the Bunakha and Wangchu HEPs next, as soon as the ongoing techno-economic appraisal is complete. This will be followed by the Chamkarchhu HEP," he said.

"The ten Indian assisted projects in Bhutan, which include the three existing, three ongoing and four JV Model HEPs will provide 6476 MW by around 2022. This reflects our commitment to developing the hydropower sector in Bhutan," the President added.

President Mukherjee also put a word of caution over the socio-economic and environmental impact of future mega projects.

"Future mega-projects will have to be assessed carefully, especially their socio-economic and environmental impact. While we remain strongly committed to consolidating our hydropower cooperation with Bhutan, these mega-projects may need to be spaced out over time," he said.

President Mukherjee's visit to Bhutan, the first bilateral visit by a President of India to that nation in 26 years, is expected to further expand the bilateral partnership and strengthen the close bonds that exist between the India and Bhutan.

India and Bhutan's bilateral relations date back to 1949 when the two countries signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. This treaty, which provides for perpetual peace and friendship, free trade and commerce, and equal justice to each other's citizens, was updated and signed by King Wangchuck in February 2007.