India exempts essential commodities to Bhutan from export bans

India has lifted all restrictions on export of essential commodities to Bhutan as sought by the Bhutanese government, minister of commerce, industry and textiles Anand Sharma said today.

''The director general of foreign trade has issued notification exempting Bhutan from the application of export ban on milk powder, wheat, edible oil, pulses and non-basmati rice with annual limits indicated by the Bhutanese side,'' Sharma informed Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, minister for economic affairs of Bhutan, at a meeting in New Delhi.

''India values the special relationship with Bhutan and we will be happy to expand our multifaceted cooperation which already covers key sectors such as hydropower, health, education, human resource development, media, telecom, ICT and infrastructure,'' said Sharma.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction that progress in meeting the target of developing 10,000 MW of hydropower capacity in Bhutan by 2020 is on schedule.

Bhutan has an estimated hydropower potential of 30,000 MW with a little over 1,472 MW harnessed.

Three major hydroelectric power projects (HEPs) have been built with Indian assistance in Bhutan - 336 MW Chukha, 60 MW Kurichhu and 1020 MW Tala HEPs.