Bhutan and India likely to sign two agreements

New Delhi, July 25: India and Bhutan are set to expand their economic and energy ties during the six day long visit of His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuk to India beginning Wednesday.

During the king's visit, India and Bhutan are likely to sign agreements on trade and commerce and on cooperation in hydro-electricity generation. The agreement on trade and commerce will be review of the trade relation between the two countries of which formal treaty was signed in 1995. The renewal will be for the next ten years.

Crown Prince Dasho Jigme Khesar, who will succeed his father in 2008, is accompanying Wangchuk to India. Other member of the delegation is Trade and Industry Minister Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba.

King will hold talks with President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a range of bilateral issues including expansion of the energy cooperation between the two countries. The king is also likely to meet chairman of the ruling United Progressive Alliance coalition Sonia Gandhi.

The two countries are also expected to sign a protocol to the Tala agreement on the 1,020 MW hydroelectric project. The Tala project, managed by Tala Hydroelectric Project Authority (THPA), is located in Chukha Dzongkhag. Bhutan News Service