Highlighting its "age-old ties of friendship and cooperation" with India which Bhutan "deeply values", Thimpu has dismissed reports that water flow was ever stopped between the two countries.
The Bhutanese foreign ministry, in a strong statement, said, "This is a distressing allegation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to clarify that the news articles are totally baseless as there is no reason why the flow of water should be stopped at this time."
Adding," It is a deliberate attempt by vested interests to spread misinformation and cause misunderstanding between the friendly people of Bhutan and Assam."
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Reports had emerged that Bhutan had blocked irrigation supply to Indian farmers in Baksa and Udalguri districts of the Indian state of Assam that borders Bhutan's Samdrup Jongkhar District.
In fact, Kumar Sanjay Krishna, Chief Secretary of Assam had also tweeted, "Recent media reports about Bhutan blocking water supply to India has been incorrectly reported. The actual reason being the natural blockage of informal irrigation channels into Indian fields! Bhutan has been actually helping to clear the blockage."
Bhutanese authorities have been taking their own initiatives to make sure the smooth flow of water to Assam is maintained despite operational difficulties due to the COVID-19 crisis. On account of the international border being closed, Assamese farmers were unable to enter Bhutan to maintain the irrigation channels as was done in the past.
The authorities on both sides of the border have had closed communication on the issue especially since there could be few delays in the flow of water due to disruptions caused by the heavy monsoon rains.
