Lessons from Doklam: India needs hydropower to keep Bhutan on its side

China will be ready to pour in its yuans if India fails to invest in Bhutan's hydro power sector

In May 2014, when Narendra Modi was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India, the delegation from invitee country Bhutan was more than delighted. Bhutan Foreign Minister Rinzin Dorji was reported saying, "Narendra Modi is a prime minister who delivers. From the interaction, we could sense he has concerns for Bhutan and the region. The PM also expressed concerns on why the implementation of Bhutan's hydropower projects was delayed."

Subsequently, India signed an agreement to build four new hydropower projects, totalling 2,120 Mw, in Bhutan. In a month after that, Modi went to Bhutan and laid the foundation stone