India and Bhutan Strengthen Environmental Cooperation in High-Level Meeting

New Delhi: A delegation from the Royal Government of Bhutan, led by Gem Tshering, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, met with Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, to discuss key issues concerning air quality, climate change, forests, natural resources, wildlife, and renewable energy.

During the meeting, Kirti Vardhan Singh expressed gratitude to the Bhutanese Minister for joining the International Big Cat Alliance, an initiative spearheaded by India. Highlighting the shared geography, ecosystems, and democratic values between the two countries, Singh emphasized the mutual concern over climate change and the necessity for collaborative efforts.

Tshering informed the Indian delegation about Bhutan’s successful hosting of the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscape Conference in April 2024 in Paro. He proudly stated that Bhutan is a carbon-negative country, with a significant portion of its energy derived from hydropower.

Both nations agreed to collaborate in areas such as climate change, air quality, forest and wildlife management, and capacity building in environmental and climate change sectors. India proposed the convening of a Joint Working Group Meeting to further solidify their partnership.