This document summarizes India's cross-border power transmission initiatives as of July 24, 2025. India currently has functional cross-border power transmission lines with Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Further expansion is planned with Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, and new interconnections are under discussion with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.
The development of these transmission lines is managed through transmission licensees, with cost recovery achieved through transmission tariffs; no direct funding is allocated by the Ministry of Power.
Electricity import/export data in Million Units (MU) for the past five years and the current year (April-May 2025) are as follows:
* **Bhutan:** Imports ranged from 5730 MU (2023-24) to 9381 MU (2020-21). Exports ranged from 219 MU (2020-21) to 1868 MU (2023-24).
* **Bangladesh:** Exports ranged from 7327 MU (2021-22) to 8581 MU (2022-23).
* **Nepal:** Imports ranged from 5 MU (2020-21) to 2150 MU (2024-25). Exports ranged from 581 MU (April-May 2025) to 2127 MU (2021-22).
* **Myanmar:** Imports ranged from 1.44 MU (April-May 2025) to 9.8 MU (2022-23).
The import and export of electricity are influenced by seasonal demand variations across countries. This allows for efficient resource utilization by addressing power shortfalls with surplus power from neighboring countries, thus ensuring a stable power supply across the region.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Power: The Indian government ministry responsible for power generation, transmission, and distribution.
Nepal: A country bordering India with functional and planned cross-border power transmission lines.
Bangladesh: A country bordering India with functional and planned cross-border power transmission lines.
Bhutan: A country bordering India with functional cross-border power transmission lines.
Myanmar: A country bordering India with functional and planned cross-border power transmission lines.
Sri Lanka: A country with planned cross-border power transmission lines with India.
UAE: United Arab Emirates, a country with cross-border interconnections under discussion with India.
Saudi Arabia: A country with cross-border interconnections under discussion with India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF POWER
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.831
ANSWERED ON 24.07.2025
CROSS BORDER POWER TRANSMISSION
831. SHRI KRISHNA PRASAD TENNETI:
SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:
Will the Minister of POWER
be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the countries with whom India has proposed, under implementation and
currently functional cross-border power transmission lines, country-wise;
(b) the total funds allocated, released and utilised for the transmission and maintenance of
power through such cross-border power transmission lines;
(c) the total amount of electricity imported or exported through such cross-border power
transmission lines during the last five years and the current year, country-wise; and
(d) whether the Government has any plans for reducing the import of electricity through
cross-border power transmissions and if so, the details thereof?
A N S W E R
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)
(a) : India has functional cross-border power transmission lines with Nepal, Bangladesh,
Bhutan and Myanmar. Further, cross-border power transmission lines with Nepal, Bangladesh,
Myanmar and Sri Lanka have been planned. Moreover, new cross-border interconnections with
UAE, Saudi Arabia and Singapore are under discussion.
(b) : The cross-border power transmission lines are generally developed through transmission
licensees and recovery is done through transmission tariff. No fund is allocated by Ministry of
Power for the cross-border links.
(c) : The total quantum of electricity imported or exported through cross-border power
transmission lines is as follows:
Import/ Export in Million Units
Financial Bhutan Bangladesh Nepal Myanmar
year
Import Export Import Export Import Export Import Export
2020-21 9381 219 0 7555 5 1870 0 9.24
2021-22 7995 322 0 7327 179 2127 0 8.81
2022-23 7253 522 0 8581 1385 1552 0 9.8
2023-24 5730 1868 0 8394 1725 1850 0 8.78
2024-25 6281 1764 0 8084 2150 1686 0 9.08
2025-26 803 295 0 1386 34 581 0 1.44
(April-May
2025)
(d) : Export and import of electricity with neighbouring countries is driven by variations in
seasonal demand in each country. This synergy allows surplus power from one country to meet
the seasonal shortfall in another, optimising resource utilisation and ensuring reliable supply
across the region.
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