New Delhi, April 9 Power Minister Manohar Lal met with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Thursday, discussing ways to strengthen bilateral energy cooperation as well as the development of hydroelectric projects in the neighboring country.
The minister said he would witness the commencement of dam construction work for the 1,200-MW Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project on April 10, along with his Bhutanese counterpart.
The development reflects a strong momentum in India-Bhutan energy cooperation, the power ministry said in a statement.
Earlier in the day, the two countries signed a "protocol to the agreement" for the Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project export tariff, according to the statement.
The 1,020-MW Punatsangchhu-II project, which was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bhutan King in November last year, has already commenced exporting surplus power to India from September 19, 2025, at a mutually-agreed tariff.
Lal also "briefed His Majesty on his constructive discussions with Bhutanese leadership, including the prime minister and the minister of energy & natural resources, which focused on further expanding cooperation in the energy sector.
Emphasizing that energy cooperation continues to be a key pillar of India–Bhutan relations, the Union minister underlined its role as a tangible execution of the mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.