May 18: Following the address to the joint sitting of the parliament, the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone for the 1095 megawatt Punatsangchu-I Hydropower Project.

The ceremony began with marching ceremony. A documentary film on Tala Hydroelectric Project was also screened at the function.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Economic Affairs Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk said the gathering highlights Bhutan-India cooperation in hydropower development.

The Prime Ministers of the two countries Lyonchen Jigmi Thinley and Dr. Manmohan Singh unveiled the plaque of Tala Hydroelectricity Project dedicating the project to the peoples of the two countries.

Dr. Manmohan Singh then laid the foundation stone for the Punatsangchu-I Project. Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk said the project is a symbol of the close ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and will immensely contribute to socio economic development in Bhutan and India.

The Prime Ministers also viewed the models of Chhukha and Tala Hydroelectricity Projects.

The ceremony was attended by the members of the parliament, senior government officials, the delegation accompanying the Prime Minister of India and members of the international community.