India,Bhutan sign hydel pacts

MEA’s official spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said several agreements and MoUs were signed,including pacts on initiating detailed project reports (DPRs) for Amochu (620 MW),Kuri-Gongri (1800 MW),Chamkarchu-I (670 MW) and Kholongchhu (486 MW) power projects. MoUs to set up a super-specialty hospital in Bhutan with technical support from India at the cost of Rs 25 crore as grant-in-aid,and to set up an IT project at the cost of Rs 205 crore have also been signed.

An Air Services Agreement pertaining to the expansion of international air services and ensuring the safety and security in the services was signed by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Bhutanese Minister of Economic Affairs Khandu Wangchuk.

Other MoUs signed between the two countries included those on Drug Demand Reduction and Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Substances and Precursor Chemicals and Related Matters,Consultancy Services for Preparation of National Transmission Grid Master Plan and Technical Assistance for the National Environment Commission Secretariat of Bhutan.

An MoU providing for ‘Cooperation of Search and Rescue Operations’ to promptly exchange information was also signed between the two countries.

The PM described the Kings visit as “historic” and termed Bhutan as “India’s closest friend and neighbour” while the King assured Singh that his country was “mindful of India’s interest”,the spokesman said.