**Executive Summary**
The Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti, led an Indian delegation to Bhutan from February 24-27, 2026. The purpose was to discuss cooperation on trans-boundary rivers and review the Punatsangchhu-I Hydro Electric Project. A bilateral meeting was held on February 25, 2026, focusing on flood management, data sharing, and climate resilience.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Bilateral Cooperation Review:**
* Existing mechanisms for bilateral cooperation in flood management and forecasting between India and Bhutan were reviewed.
* Discussions focused on strengthening and modernizing the hydro-meteorological observation network on trans-border rivers in Bhutan.
* Emphasis on improving data-sharing mechanisms for hydro-meteorological and flood forecasting data.
* Enhanced collaboration in capacity building and technical exchanges.
* Addressing emerging challenges related to climate change, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and extreme weather events.
* **Project Reviews and Site Visits:**
* Visited the Punatsangchhu-I Hydro Electric Project (under construction) and the recently commissioned Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan.
* Held meetings with officials of PHPA-I and PHPA-II to review the progress of these projects.
* Site visits included the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) in Thimphu.
* Visited the 3.5 MLD Water Treatment Plant at Chamgang and the NCHM flood monitoring station near Wangdue Phodrang Dzong.
* **Objectives and Commitment:**
* The visit aimed to enhance water resources management, flood forecasting, and climate resilience in shared river basins.
* Reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to the sustainable and mutually beneficial management of trans-boundary water resources.
* India conveyed continued support for deepening cooperation in water resources management.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: India (DoWR, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti; State Governments of Assam and West Bengal; WAPCOS Ltd.)**
**Impact**: Deepening cooperation with Bhutan will help with improved flood management and forecasting, sustainable water resource management, and climate resilience.
**Action Required**: Continued support and engagement in deepening cooperation in water resources management.
**Stakeholder: Bhutan (Government of Bhutan, PHPA-I, PHPA-II, NCHM)**
**Impact**: Bhutan will benefit from the enhanced hydro-meteorological network, improved data-sharing mechanisms, and increased capacity building, contributing to better water resources management and flood resilience.
**Action Required**: Participate in collaborative initiatives to strengthen water resource management and flood forecasting capabilities.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR): Indian governmental entity responsible for water resources, river development, and Ganga rejuvenation, leading the delegation to Bhutan.
Punatsangchhu-I Hydro Electric Project: A hydropower project in Bhutan, being reviewed as part of the India-Bhutan cooperation on trans-boundary rivers.
Bhutan: The Kingdom of Bhutan, partnering with India on trans-boundary rivers and hydropower projects.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: Indian ministry overseeing the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM): Hydrology and Meteorology Center in Bhutan visited by the delegation.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
India–Bhutan Deepen Bilateral Cooperation on
Trans-Boundary Rivers and Hydropower Projects
Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR Reviews Hydropower Projects;
Explores Enhanced Flood Forecasting and Data Sharing
Mechanisms
Posted On: 27 FEB 2026 11:58AM by PIB Delhi
Shri V. L. Kantha Rao, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga
Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti, GoI, led an Indian delegation comprising
officers from DoWR, RD & GR; the State Governments of Assam and West Bengal; and WAPCOS Ltd.,
to the Kingdom of Bhutan from 24–27 February 2026 to discuss matters related to cooperation on trans-
boundary rivers and to review the ongoing activities of the Punatsangchhu-I Hydro Electric Project being
implemented in Bhutan in partnership with the Government of India.
During the Secretary-level bilateral meeting held on 25 February 2026, the two sides reviewed the existing
mechanisms of bilateral cooperation between India and Bhutan in flood management and flood
forecasting. Further deliberations focused on strengthening and modernising the existing hydro-
meteorological observation network in Bhutan on trans-border rivers, improving data-sharing mechanisms
for hydro-meteorological and flood forecasting data relating to trans-border rivers, enhancing
collaboration in capacity building and technical exchanges, and addressing emerging challenges arising
from climate change, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and extreme weather events.
After the bilateral meeting, the Secretary paid a courtesy call on H.E. Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Hon’ble
Minister for Energy and Natural Resources.
The Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR, MoJS, GoI, also visited the Punatsangchhu-I Hydro Electric Project
under construction and the recently commissioned Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan on
26 February 2026. He held meetings with officials of PHPA-I and PHPA-II and reviewed the progress of
these projects. Other site visits included the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM),
Bhutan, in Thimphu; the 3.5 MLD Water Treatment Plant at Chamgang; and the NCHM flood monitoring
station near Wangdue Phodrang Dzong.
The visit aimed to enhance water resources management, flood forecasting, and climate resilience in
shared river basins. It reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to the sustainable and mutually
beneficial management of trans-boundary water resources. The Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR, GoI,
conveyed India’s continued support for deepening cooperation in water resources management.Meeting with Minister, MoNER, RGOB
Bilateral Meeting PhotoVisit to NCHM, Thimphu
Group photo at NCHM, ThimphuVisit to 3.5 MLD Water Treatment Plant
Visit to NCHM Flood Monitoring Station Near Wangdue Phodrang DzongReview of Puna-2 & Puna-1 at Kamechu Conference Hall
Visit to Punatsangchhu-1 HEP
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ND
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