KEPENTINGAN INDIA DALAM KERJA SAMA PENGEMBANGAN HYDROELECTRIC POWER (HEP) DENGAN BHUTAN

India’s 2022 energy crisis, triggered by coal shortages caused widespread power outages, underscored the urgency of energy diversification. Although India possesses renewable resources such as solar and wind power, their supply remains unstable. This condition has driven India to enhance cooperation with Bhutan in developing hydroelectric power (HEP), as Bhutan holds an estimated 30.000 MW of hydropower potential. This study aims to explain India’s interest in cooperation with Bhutan on hydroelectric power development. Employing an explanatory design with a qualitative approach, data were collected through literature review. The dependent variable is India’s national interest, while the independent variable is HEP cooperation with Bhutan, with the scope limited to 2020-2024. The findings reveal that the cooperation reflects interdependence rooted in natural resources, social ties, and geopolitical factors. The cooperation provides benefit, including clean energy, economic growth, and job creation, yet it also involves costs such as geopolitical vulnerability and climate risks. Furthermore, the asymmetrical nature of the relationship positions India as the dominant actor, enabling it to secure its strategic interests.