India will enhance hydrocarbon cooperation with Bhutan: Narendra Modi

THIMPU: Hailing Bhutan as a rich source of clean energy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India will give a boost to cooperative partnership in this area as he laid the foundation stone of the 600 MW Kholongchu Hydroelectric Project to be built jointly.

He said the exploitation of the rich resource of hydropower that Bhutan possesses will help in sustainable development and fight global warming.

"Bhutan is a rich source of clean energy. In the recent years, India has taken some initiatives to tap it. We want to take it forward," Modi said while addressing the joint session of Bhutanese Parliament here.

"It is not limited to exploiting the resources or meet India's demands, but it is necessary of sustainable development and address the issue of global warming," he said and noted that both India and Bhutan are determined to collectively fight the global warming.

Soon after he laid the foundation stone electronically for the 600 MW Kholongchhu Hydroelectric Project from the courtyard of Bhutan's Parliament complex.

"Construction on 600 MW Kholongchhu Hydroelectric Project officially begins with laying of foundation stone," Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay tweeted.

The project is one of the several being undertaken jointly by India and Bhutan.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, while talking to reporters later, said the hydropower projects which have been pending will be pushed as she noted that Modi believes in quick implementation of schemes and programmes.