India, Bhutan to ink MoUs

NEW DELHI, Dec 22 – Agreements and MoUs to enhance cooperation in hydropower, civil aviation and health sectors are expected to be signed between India and Bhutan during the visit of Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck who arrived here today on his first official visit to the country, reports PTI. The fifth King ofBhutan , who is here on his maiden since his coronation in November last year, will hold talks with President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a wide range of bilateral and international issues, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vishnu Prakash told reporters.

The MoUs on initiating detailed project reports (DPRs) on hydel projects will be inked under the 60-year umbrella agreement signed in 2006.

In the health sector, a pact to set up of a superspeciality hospital on the lines of the AIIMS in Bhutan with the technical and expert support from India is expected to be signed during the visit.

In the area of civil aviation, the ministry officials said there were some flights of Druk Air to India and an MoU in the field providing for enhanced air connectivity is also on the cards.

Asked about China’s influence on Bhutan, the MEA Spokesman said “relationship with any other country is the prerogative of Bhutan.”

Asserting that both the countries attach “highest importance” to hydro projects, Prakash said it has been decided that India will help Bhutan to achieve a target of 10,000MW of power by 2020.

According to officials, over 60 per cent of Bhutan’s gross domestic product accrues from sale of surplus power from three hydro power stations- Kurichu, Chukha and Tala.

The King will on December 23 inaugurate a photo exhibition ‘Bhutan: An Eye to History’ at the National Gallery of Modern Art here displaying the early photographic records of Bhutan from the 19th and early 20th century. It will also include the photographic work of the King.

He will also on the same day deliver the Madhavrao Scindia Memorial Lecture.