**Executive Summary**
This report details the strategic cooperation between the Government of India’s Ministry of Power, its Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), and neighboring countries including Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. Issued on April 2, 2026, the document outlines 17 bilateral agreements, various power generation projects, and 30 cross-border transmission links aimed at strengthening regional energy security. The information was presented by the Minister of State for Power as a formal written reply in the Lok Sabha.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Institutional Framework and Agreements**
* **Bilateral MoUs:** Seventeen specific Memoranda of Understanding and agreements have been executed between the Ministry of Power/CPSEs and entities in neighboring nations.
* **Involved CPSEs:** Key Indian agencies driving these projects include NHPC Limited, NTPC Limited, NVVN (NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam), Power Grid Corporation of India, and SJVN Limited.
* **Regional Partners:** Cooperation involves diverse entities such as the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), and the Ministry of Electric Power in Myanmar.
**Power Generation Projects**
* **Nepal:** Six projects are listed, featuring major installations such as Arun-3 (900 MW) and Lower Arun (669 MW).
* **Bhutan:** Six projects contribute significantly to regional capacity, including Punatsangchhu-I (1200 MW), Punatsangchhu-II (1020 MW), and Tala (1020 MW).
* **Bangladesh:** The Maitree Super Thermal Power Project (STPP) provides a substantial capacity of 1320 MW.
**Cross-Border Transmission Infrastructure**
* **Nepal Interconnections:** Fifteen links are established or planned, ranging from 132 kV to 400 kV lines, including the Muzaffarpur–Dhalkebar 400 kV D/c line.
* **Bhutan Interconnections:** Nine links facilitate power flow, primarily through 400 kV and 220 kV lines to Siliguri, Alipurduar, and Birpara.
* **Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka:** Five transmission links are detailed, including the 765 kV D/c line for Bangladesh and a 1000 MW VSC HVDC Bipole line connecting New Madurai (India) to Mannar (Sri Lanka).
**Impact Analysis**
**Central Public Sector Enterprises (NHPC, NTPC, SJVN, Power Grid, NVVN)**
**Impact**
These enterprises are the primary executors of international infrastructure projects, expanding their operational footprint and managing large-scale cross-border assets.
**Action Required**
CPSEs must continue to fulfill the technical and operational requirements of the various MoUs and maintain the extensive network of transmission links and generation plants.
**Neighboring National Governments and Power Authorities**
**Impact**
Nations such as Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh gain increased access to power generation capacity and enhanced grid stability through interconnections with the Indian power system.
**Action Required**
These entities must cooperate through tripartite and bilateral agreements to ensure the smooth operation of cross-border transmission and the integration of generated power into their respective national grids.
**Ministry of Power (Government of India)**
**Impact**
The Ministry acts as the central coordinating body for regional energy diplomacy, facilitating the legislative and diplomatic framework for energy exchange.
**Action Required**
The Ministry must continue to monitor project progress and provide parliamentary updates on the status of regional energy cooperation.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Power: The primary central ministry responsible for coordinating international energy cooperation, executing MoUs, and overseeing cross-border power projects.
Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs): State-owned entities, including NHPC, NTPC, Power Grid, and SJVN, tasked with implementing power generation and transmission infrastructure in neighboring countries.
Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka: The specific neighboring nations that define the geographic scope and applicability of India's cross-border power sector cooperation and transmission links.
Ministry of Power
COOPERATION WITH NEIGHBOURING
COUNTRIES IN POWER SECTOR
Posted On: 02 APR 2026 3:54PM by PIB Delhi
The Government of India, Ministry of Power, and its Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) engage
with neighbouring countries such as Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka to strengthen
cooperation in the power sector.
A list of Memoranda of Understanding and agreements executed by the Ministry of Power and its CPSEs
with neighbouring entities is placed at Table-1
The details of power generation and cross-border transmission links projects with neighbouring countries
are placed at Table-2.
Table-1
List of MoUs/Agreements executed by the Ministry of Power and its CPSEs with neighboring
countries
1. Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Nepal for electric interconnections
2. The Government of the Republic of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan for cooperation in
energy efficiency
3. Government of the Republic of India and Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri
Lanka
4. The Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the People's Republic of
Bangladesh
5. The Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of the Union of
Myanmar
6. NHPC Limited with the Investment Board, Government of Nepal (IBN)
7. NHPC Limited with Vidhyut Utpadan Company Limited (VUCL), Nepal
8. NHPC Limited with MIS Rastriya Prasaran Grid Company Limited(RPGCL), Nepal
9. NTPC Limited with Nepal Electricity Authority
10. NVVN and Nepal Electricity Authority
11. Tripartite Agreement among NEA, NVVN and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB)
12. Power Grid Corporation of India with Nepal Electricity Authority
13. Power Grid Corporation of India with DEPP, Ministry of Electric Power, Myanmar
14. Power Grid Corporation of India with Government of Sri Lanka
15. SJVN Limited with Govt. of Nepal represented by Ministry of Water Resources
16. SJVN Limited with the Investment Board, Government of Nepal (IBN)
17. SJVN Limited with Nepal Electricity Authority Memorandum of Understanding
Table -2Details of projects with neighbouring countries for power generation:
Country Sl. No. Name of the project I.C. (MW)
1 Pokhra 1
Nepal
2 Trisuli 21
3 Western Gandak 15
4 Devighat 14.1
5 Arun-3 900
6 Lower Arun 669
7 Chukha 336
Bhutan
8 Kurichu 60
9 Tala 1020
10 Mangdechhu 720
11 Punatsangchhu -II 1020
12 Punatsangchhu-I 1200
Bangladesh 13 Maitree STPP 1320
Details of projects with neighbouring countries for cross-border transmission links:Country Sl. Transmission Link
No.
Nepal 1 Muzaffarpur (India) – Dhalkebar (Nepal) 400 kV D/c line
2 Tanakpur (India) – Mahendranagar(Nepal) 132 kV S/c line
3 Kataiya (BSPTCL) – Kushaha (Nepal) 132 kV line (3 circuits – one ckt HTLS
& two ckts ACSR Panther)
4 Raxaul (BSPTCL) – Parwanipur (Nepal) line 132 kV line (2 circuits)
5 Ramnagar (BSPTCL) – Surajpura (Nepal) 132 kV line (1 circuit)
6 New Nautanwa (Uttar Pradesh) – Mainhiya (Nepal) 132 kV D/c line
7 Sitamarhi (India)- Dhalkebar (Nepal) 400 kV D/c (Quad Moose) line
8 Nanpara (India) – Kohalpur (Nepal) 132 kV D/C line
9 Gorakhpur -New Butwal 400 kV D/c (Quad) line
10 Dododhara (Nepal) - Bareilly (New) (India) 400 kV (Quad) D/c line
11 Inaruwa (Nepal) - Purnea (New) (India) 400 kV D/c (Quad) line
12 Chameliya (Nepal) – Jauljivi (India) 220 kV D/c (Twin Moose) link
14 Motihari (India) – Nijgad/Harnaiya (Nepal) 400 kV D/c (Quad Moose) line
14 Lucknow (India) – Kohalpur (Nepal) 400 kV D/c (Quad Moose) line
15 Reconductoring of Muzaffarpur (India) _ Dhalkebar (Nepal) 400kV D/c line
with HTLS Conductor equivalent to Quad MooseCountry Sl. Transmission Link
No.
Bhutan 16 Tala HEP (Bhutan) – Siliguri (ISTS) 400 kV (3 circuits Twin Moose)
17 Malbase (Bhutan) – Siliguri (ISTS) 400 kV (1 circuit Twin Moose)
18 Chukha HEP (Bhutan) – Birpara (ISTS) 220 kV D/c line
19 Malbase (Bhutan) – Birpara (ISTS) 220 kV S/c line
20 Gelephu (Bhutan) – Salakati (ISTS) 132 kV S/c line
21 Motonga (Bhutan) – Rangia (AEGCL, Assam) 132 kV S/c line
22 Punatsangchu – I HEP (Bhutan) – Alipurduar (ISTS) 400 kV line
23 Punatsangchu – II HEP (Bhutan) – Alipurduar (ISTS) 400 kV line
24 Jigmeling (Bhutan) – Alipurduar (ISTS) 400 kV D/c (Quad) line
Bangladesh 25 Baharampur (India) – Bheramara (Bangladesh) 400 kV 2x D/c line (along with
2x500 MW HVDC Back-to-Back terminal at Bheramara)
26 Surajmaninagar (TPTL, Tripura) – Comilla (Bangladesh) 400kV D/c radial
interconnection (operated at 132kV)
27 Katihar (India) - Parbotipur (Bangladesh) - Bornagar (India) 765 kV D/c line
28 Tamu (Myanmar) – Moreh (Manipur, India)
Myanmar
29 Imphal (India) – Tamu (Myanmar) 400 kV D/c line with 500 MW HVDC
back-to-back terminal at Tamu (in 1st phase), along with Tamu (Myanmar) –
Kaley (Myanmar) 230 kV D/c line
Sri Lanka 30 New Madurai (India) and Mannar (Sri Lanka) 1000 MW VSC HVDC Bipole
line
This Information was given by The Minister of State in the Ministry Of Power, Shri Shripad Naik, in a
written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
*********
NR/MD
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