India, Bhutan Boost Ties on Rivers and Hydropower

On 24-27 February 2026, during a high‑level visit by an Indian delegation to Bhutan, India and Bhutan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation on trans‑boundary rivers, hydropower development, and flood management.

Key Points

Review of Shared River Cooperation: Both sides assessed ongoing collaboration on shared river systems and flood management mechanisms.
Hydropower Project Progress: Discussions reviewed the status of the Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project and the recently commissioned Punatsangchhu-II Project, implemented in partnership with India.
Flood Forecasting & Data Sharing: Deliberations focused on modernising Bhutan’s hydro-meteorological observation network and strengthening real-time data-sharing systems for improved flood forecasting.
Climate Change Challenges: Talks addressed emerging risks such as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and extreme weather events.
Capacity Building & Technical Exchange: Both countries emphasised enhancing institutional cooperation and technical expertise sharing.