ndtv.com<\/a><\/p>\nIndia and Bhutan on Friday reviewed the progress of hydroelectric projects in the Himalayan nation during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering in New Delhi.<\/p>\n
“Development of hydroelectric projects is an important part of the long history of India’s aid to Bhutan,” PM Modi said in a joint address to the media with PM Tshering after the meeting.<\/p>\n
“Today we reviewed our aid for all related projects in this important sector,” he said.<\/p>\n
There are a number of institutional mechanisms between India and Bhutan in areas like security, border management, trade, economy, hydroelectricity, development cooperation and water resources.<\/p>\n
New Delhi has set up three hydroelectric projects in Bhutan with a total capacity of 1,416 MW, which is operational. About three-fourth of the power generated is exported to India and the rest is used for domestic consumption.<\/p>\n
Stating that space science is a new area of cooperation between the two countries, PM Modi said that a ground station will be soon be developed in Bhutan by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to the reap the benefits of the South Asian Satellite.<\/p>\n
He also expressed happiness at PM Tshering conveying him the news that Bhutan will soon launch the RuPay cards.<\/p>\n
Appreciating PM Tshering’s vision of “Narrowing the Gap” on ties between India and Bhutan, PM Modi said that it complements India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.<\/p>\n
On his part, PM Tshering said that the main aim of his visit, taking place on the golden-jubilee year of India-Bhutan diplomatic ties, is to take the bilateral relationship to much greater heights.<\/p>\n
He also said that there are “many, many miles to go” India’s aid for the development of hydroelectric projects in Bhutan.<\/div>\n
He invited PM Modi to visit Bhutan at the earliest.<\/p>\n
Earlier, PM Tshering was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.<\/p>\n
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also called on the visiting dignitary.<\/p>\n
PM Tshering arrived in New Delhi on Friday on a three-day visit to India, his first official trip abroad after assuming office in October.<\/p>\n
Tshering’s Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) party, formed in 2013, won 30 of the 47 National Assembly seats in the elections in Bhutan held in October.<\/p>\n
The country of 800,000 people, located between India and China, has chosen a different party to rule at each election since the end of absolute monarchy in 2008.<\/p>\n
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