Pranab Mukherjee to leave for Bhutan on July 27

New Delhi, July 26: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will leave for Bhutan tomorrow on a three-day visit during which he is expected to sign the 1,095 MW Punatsangchu-1 hydro power project that will provide surplus power to India.

The Rs 3,514.82 crore project is part of an agreement to import a minimum of 5,000 MW of electricity from Bhutan by 2020.

So far, India has invested about Rs 5,000 crore in the construction of three hydro projects, Chukkha, Kurichu and Tala, which have an installed capacity of 1400 MW.

Cooperation in hydel power sector is one of the main elements in Indo-Bhutanese ties which will get a further boost during Mr Mukherjee's visit.

It will be the first high-level engagement between the two countries following the visit by King of Bhutan Jigme Kesar Namgyal Wangchuk to India in February this year when the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty was signed.

Going on the invitation of the Royal Government of Bhutan, Mr Mukherjee is also expected to use his visit to consolidate economic and political relations between the two nations.

He will meet the King and also also hold discussions with Prime Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk and Foreign Minister Dasho Yanki Wangchuk.

The two countries already enjoy booming trade ties on the strength of a free trade regime. India accounts for 98 per cent of Bhutan's total exports and 90 per cent of its total imports.

Since the two countries share a common boundary of about 700 Km, they have been making efforts to strengthen border management. A joint plan to further upgrade the border instrastructure, through better roads and communication links, is also expected to be formalised during the visit.

UNI