Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Bhutan
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Energy cooperation is a major aspect of India's relations with its neighbouring countries. Hydropower projects in the Himalayan belt are especially significant, as they allow smaller countries to generate more electricity than they need and export the surplus to India. This question refers to a country in the Indian subcontinent that targets about 5000 megawatts of generation capacity, with excess power being sold to India.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Bhutan is famous for its hydropower based development strategy, often summarised as exporting happiness in the form of clean energy to India. Several joint projects between India and Bhutan aim to create around 10000 megawatts of hydropower capacity, and intermediate figures around 5000 megawatts are frequently cited in policy discussions. While Nepal also has significant hydropower potential, the specific figure of 5000 megawatts and clear export commitments to India are most strongly associated with Bhutan in exam level GK.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Bhutan and India have long standing agreements on developing hydropower projects in Bhutan.
Step 2: Bhutan's rivers descending from the Himalayas allow construction of many hydroelectric plants, producing more electricity than Bhutan's small population requires.
Step 3: The surplus power is exported to India, forming a major part of Bhutan's revenue and India's clean energy imports.
Step 4: Nepal has similar potential but progress has been slower; the specific figure of about 5000 megawatts and clear plans for surplus export are more often linked with Bhutan in exam preparation books.
Step 5: Bangladesh and Myanmar do not match this particular hydropower based arrangement with India at this scale.
Step 6: Therefore, Bhutan is the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative check is to think of which neighboring country most often appears in news with phrases such as hydropower cooperation, clean energy export and bilateral power projects with India. Diplomatic articles on India Bhutan relations repeatedly mention targets like 5000 megawatts and 10000 megawatts of installed capacity developed with Indian assistance. This reinforces the identification of Bhutan as the country in question.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option Nepal is wrong because, while Nepal has hydropower potential and some power trade with India, the specific figure and mature export arrangements mentioned in typical exam questions align more clearly with Bhutan.
Option Bangladesh is wrong since it is a power deficit country that often imports power from India rather than exporting a large hydropower surplus.
Option Myanmar is wrong because India's energy cooperation with Myanmar focuses more on gas and connectivity projects than large hydropower exports at the 5000 megawatt scale.
Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to confuse Nepal and Bhutan because both are Himalayan kingdoms with substantial river systems. Candidates may also misread the term subcontinent and think only of larger neighbours. To avoid errors, remember the distinct role: Bhutan exports clean hydropower to India and has a high per capita income thanks to this, while Nepal is still in earlier stages of harnessing its potential. Keeping these roles clear in memory helps in all questions related to regional energy cooperation.
Final Answer:
The neighbouring country that plans to generate about 5000 megawatts of electricity and export the surplus to India is Bhutan.
Discussion & Comments