India Holds Energy and Water Talks With Bhutan and Sri Lanka

The Government of India held a series of high-level bilateral meetings in New Delhi on August 7, 2026, to strengthen energy and water resource cooperation with Bhutan and Sri Lanka. These talks align with India's Neighbourhood First policy to enhance regional energy security and sustainable development.

In discussions with Bhutan, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal and Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Lyonpo Gem Tshering reviewed progress on the Punatsangchhu-I, Punatsangchhu-II, Sankosh, and Chukha hydropower projects. Parallel talks led by Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil and Lyonpo Gem Tshering focused on trans-border river management, flood forecasting, and the upgradation of Bhutan's hydro-meteorological network. The meetings highlighted deepening economic ties, with bilateral trade between the two nations exceeding $1.9 billion in FY25.

Separately, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal met with Sri Lankan Minister Anura Karunathilake to review the Sampur Solar Power Project and the proposed India-Sri Lanka HVDC interconnection. The delegations discussed expanding cross-border electricity trade and transmission infrastructure. During these talks, India shared its Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding framework for transmission system development via Public-Private Partnerships to support Sri Lanka's clean energy transition.