New Delhi, August 1, 2016: India has not signed any specific agreement with Bangladesh to enhance electricity generation or to enhance export of power. However, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on “Cooperation in Power Sector” on 11.1.2010 by India.
This was stated by Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy and Mines in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Minister further stated that India has signed a bilateral agreement with Government of Nepal on “Electric Power Trade, Cross-Border Transmission Interconnection and Grid Connectivity” on 21.10.2014 and with the Royal Government of Bhutan concerning “Cooperation in the field of Hydroelectric Power” on 28.7.2006.
Besides, SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation (Electricity) has also been signed, by all the SAARC member States, comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, on 27.11.2014, the Minister added.
India needs more electricity to electrify areas which still do not have electricity connection.
The electrification process is important for the Modi government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had vouched on the Independence Day that all the other remaining unelectrified villages will see the ‘light’ by 01st May, 2018.
