New Delhi, Feb 27 (UNI) India and Bhutan have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation on trans-boundary rivers, hydropower development, and flood management during a high-level visit by an Indian delegation to the Himalayan kingdom from February 24-27.
The delegation was led by the Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, and included officials from the state governments of Assam and West Bengal, as well as representatives of WAPCOS Limited.
The visit focused on advancing collaboration on shared river systems and reviewing the progress of the Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project, which is being implemented in Bhutan in partnership with the Government of India.
During the Secretary-level bilateral meeting held on February 25, both sides reviewed existing cooperation mechanisms on flood management and forecasting. Discussions centred on modernising Bhutan's hydro-meteorological observation network on trans-border rivers and strengthening real-time data-sharing systems for flood forecasting.
The two sides also deliberated on enhancing collaboration in capacity building and technical exchanges, while addressing emerging challenges posed by climate change, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and extreme weather events.
Following the meeting, the Secretary paid a courtesy call on Bhutan's Minister for Energy and Natural Resources, Gem Tshering.
The visit aimed to further strengthen water resources management, flood forecasting systems, and climate resilience acros
The Secretary also visited the under-construction Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project and the recently commissioned Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project. He held detailed discussions with officials of PHPA-I and PHPA-II and reviewed the progress of the projects.
The delegation also visited the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology in Thimphu, the 3.5 MLD Water Treatment Plant at Chamgang, and the NCHM flood monitoring station near Wangdue Phodrang Dzong.
The visit underscored the shared commitment of India and Bhutan to sustainable and mutually beneficial management of trans-boundary water resources. It also aimed to strengthen cooperation in water resources management, flood forecasting, and climate resilience across shared river basins.
The Secretary conveyed India's continued support for advancing bilateral collaboration in hydropower development and integrated water resources management, reinforcing the long-standing partnership between the two countries.
UNI AAB