India, Bhutan express commitment on trilateral cooperation in hydropower sector with Bangladesh

India and Bhutan today expressed their commitment on trilateral cooperation, involving Bangladesh, in the hydro power sector, saying this would result in enhanced linkages among the economies of the region.

The commitment is contained in a joint statement issued after the three-day visit of Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk to India. The King held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"On the proposed trilateral hydropower cooperation among Bhutan, Bangladesh and India, both sides (India and Bhutan) expressed their commitment towards greater sub-regional cooperation, including in the energy sector which would lead to increased inter-linkages between the economies for mutual benefit of all stakeholders," said the statement.

Hydropower cooperation has been a key pillar of India-Bhutan relations. Bhutan gets steady stream of revenue from the sale of power from hydropower plants in Bhutan which have been jointly developed by the two countries. India also supplies electricity to Bhutan to help meet the latter's energy deficit during the winter months.

According to the joint statement, India and Bhutan also agreed to take forward the project for setting up the first cross-border rail link between them connecting Kokrajhar in Assam (India) and Gelephun in Bhutan.