NEW DELHI, Apr 20: Union Cabinet today gave its approval for signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India and Bhutan on technical cooperation in the field of capacity building, benchmarking and bilateral exchange in infrastructure engineering.
Briefing mediapersons about the decisions of the Union Cabinet, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said India and Bhutan have had a long standing diplomatic, economic and cultural relations with each other.
The India-Bhutan friendship treaty signed in New Delhi in February, 2007 also strengthens the mutual relations.
The Prime Minister made a state visit to Bhutan in June 2014. The visit reinforced the tradition of regular high level exchanges between the two countries. During the Indian Prime Ministers’ visit, the two sides agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in areas relating to their national interest.
The MoU is in furtherance of Article 2,7 and 8 of the India-Bhutan friendship treaty. The MoU will provide an umbrella for educational, scientific & technical research and environment protection which are also stated aim of the India-Bhutan foundation established in August 2003. There is already ongoing Hydro Power Cooperation between the two countries which provides an exemplary template for mutual cooperation.
Through this MoU, the Central Public Works Department will stand to gain in terms of experience in hills road construction which is of paramount importance in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and various states of North-East Region. The CPWD also expects to garner some road construction projects in Bhutan. (UNI)
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