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Three MoUs signed between India and Bhutan

New Delhi, 25 January 2005. 

Three Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed today at the Hyderabad House between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of India in the presence of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, King of Bhutan, and H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India.

The MOUs are:

    » Preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for:

       i)   Punatshangchhu (Stage II) Hydropower Project

       ii)  Mangdechhu Hydropower Project

    » Establishment of Railway Links between the bordering towns of Bhutan and India

    » Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture and Allied Sectors.

The MOU on DPRs for the two hydropower projects are to carry out the required investigations and preliminary studies, and prepare DPRs for the 992 MW Punatshangchhu (Stage II) and 670 MW Mangdechhu hydropower projects in Bhutan.

Feasibility studies for establishing broad gauge railway links between the border towns of Bhutan and India will be carried out under the MOU on establishment of railway links.

The MOU on cooperation in the field of agriculture is to provide a framework for institutionalized cooperation between the Ministries of Agriculture of the two countries in agriculture and animal sciences. The MOU also envisages the forming of a Joint Technical Working Group to monitor the activities carried out in fulfillment of the MOU.

The MOUs were signed by H.E. Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Royal Government of Bhutan. From the Indian side, Shri P.M. Sayeed, Minister of Power, Shri Naranbhai J. Rathwa, Minister of State for Railways, and Shri Sharad Pawar, Minister of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, signed the MOUs on preparation of DPRs for the two hydropower projects, the establishment of railway links, and cooperation in the field of agriculture, respectively.

The above projects are expected to have a major impact on the Bhutanese economy, and will contribute to further strengthening the mutually beneficial cooperation and exemplary relations between India and Bhutan.

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