Abstract:
Climate change is increasingly recognised as one of the most pressing global challenges in contemporary times. In South Asia, the region is experiencing significant repercussions including extreme rainfall, flooding, etc. As natural phenomena don’t pay attention to manmade political borders, these issues often span across the region. Nevertheless, it simultaneously presents a distinctive opportunity for regional collaboration as it can’t be handled in isolation. The climate cooperation between India and its Himalayan neighbour Bhutan seems visible on this front. Hence, this study explores the various facets of bilateral cooperation between India and Bhutan over climate change. The study aims to analyse the existing climate cooperation between India and Bhutan along with the case study on hydropower trade. As per the study, mutually beneficial hydropower cooperation between these two countries seems instrumental in strengthening India’s commitment for renewables. However, the emerging challenges in Bhutan, including escalating hydropower debt, youth unemployment, and delays in project completion, pose significant obstacles to climate cooperation efforts. In conclusion, the study advocates for the diversification of climate cooperation, which currently relies heavily on hydropower, to encompass non-hydropower sectors, collaborative research, and information exchange, thereby enhancing the capacity to address common climate challenges effectively.