India for power transmission to SAARC countries via Bangladesh

India has said hydroelectric power generated in its north-eastern region could be transmitted via Bangladesh to other SAARC countries.
India’s Power, New and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goel floated the idea at the 5th SAARC power ministers’ meeting in New Delhi Friday.
He said hydroelectric power generated in North East India could be transmitted to Afghanistan via Bangladesh, India and Pakistan or offshore wind projects could be set up in Sri Lanka’s coastal borders to power Pakistan or Nepal.
Goel also called for building SAARC power grid so that excess production of power in one region can easily be used to meet deficit elsewhere.
“Rivers can flow only in one direction, but power can flow in the direction of our choice. I dream of a seamless SAARC power grid within the next few years and this will not only strengthen the economic ties among the SAARC nations but also deepens the people to people relationship,” the minister said.
The power minister further stated that the economic sustainability of SAARC region was pillared on energy security as 30 per cent of the region’s energy demands were met through power imports, according to a news agency.