Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 10 inaugurated the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project constructed under a bilateral agreement between India and Bhutan, marking a major milestone in the energy partnership between the two countries.
The two sides also reached an understanding on the resumption of work on the main dam structure of the 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project.
India has extended a Rs 4,000 crore Line of Credit to Bhutan to spur economic development in the Himalayan country. In another key development to strengthen bilateral cultural ties, Modi announced the granting of land in Varanasi for building a Bhutanese Temple and Guest House in the holy city. Besides, an immigration check post will be set up in Hatisar across Gelephu. The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed during Modi’s visit include one on cooperation in the field of renewable energy.
The MoU seeks to institutionalise the bilateral engagements in the field of renewable energy and aims to work together in solar energy, wind energy, biomass, energy storage, green hydrogen and capacity building in these areas.
An MoU on cooperation in health and medicine was signed, and seeks to institutionalise bilateral health cooperation in areas including – drugs, diagnostics and devices; maternal health; prevention and treatment of communicable/noncommunicable diseases; traditional medicine; digital health interventions, including telemedicine; and technical collaboration, joint research and capacity building of health professionals.
Another MoU was inked between the PEMA Secretariat, Bhutan and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), on Building Institutional Linkage.