India and Bhutan sign MoU on cooperation in environment sector

India and Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the areas of environment.

The MoU was signed during a virtual signing ceremony held on Friday, said a statement issued by the Embassy of India, Thimphu.

The MoU was signed by Union minister for environment, forest and climate change Prakash Javadekar and Bhutan foreign minister Dr. Tandi Dorji in his capacity as the chairperson of the National Environment Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan, the statement said.

“The objective of the MoU is to renew earlier cooperation and collaboration between India and Bhutan in the environmental sector and expand the areas of cooperation in the field of environment to promote a mutually beneficial partnership,” the statement said.

As per the MoU, India and Bhutan will cooperate on projects related to climate change, air, waste and chemical management or any other area that is mutually decided, it said.

The collaborative activities will include technical assistance, capacity building, exchange of knowledge, best practices and technology transfer, exchange visits by experts, scholars and delegations, projects and seminars, it said.

The constitution of a Joint Working Group to identify the specific areas of cooperation between India and Bhutan is another aim of the MoU.

Besides, a senior official of the environment sector will be assigned to monitor the planning and performance of activities carried out under the MoU.

As the two countries are close friends and committed to a climate action, a healthier planet and a sustainable future, the MoU between India and Bhutan is termed as a timely step to add further momentum to the excellent bilateral ties.

It is expected that the MoU will facilitate greater institutional linkages between actors working in the environmental sector in India and Bhutan.

Union minister Javadekar tweeted on Friday: “India has symbiotic relationship with Bhutan. Today, both countries signed a MoU which will open new vistas of bilateral co-operation in the areas of Climate Change, waste management, etc.”