By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to announce a “substantial” grant to Bhutan when he travels there on Friday on a two-day visit that is expected to give a boost to the energy cooperation.
Singh will hold wide-ranging talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Jigme Y Thinley on issues of mutual interest, including India’s development cooperation with the Himalayan kingdom.
The Prime Minister will also meet 28-year-old King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and his father, the former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
Visiting Bhutan in its “special” year, Singh will dedicate to the Bhutanese people the 1020 MW Tala hydroelectric project, built with Indian help, and lay the foundation stone for a 1095 MW power plant at Punatsangchhu.
India will benefit from Tala project as its surplus power will be sold to it.
Bhutan, which has rich hydro-power potential, exports most of the electricity generated to India.
New Delhi plans to tap 5,000 MW of the nation’s estimated 30,000 MW hydel power potential.
“All surplus power from the three commissioned hydro-electric projects in Bhutan is being sold to India,” Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon told reporters here while briefing on the Prime Minister’s visit.
During the visit, the Prime Minister is expected to announce a “substantial” contribution to the country’s 10th Five Year Plan, Menon said but did not give details.