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China Reaffirms Mega Dam Plan Over Brahmaputra, Assures No Harm to Downstream Nations
Team Finance Saathi
06/Jan/2025
What's covered under the Article:
- China confirms its plans to build the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River, citing no adverse effects on downstream countries.
- India expresses concerns over the dam's impact on water resources, calling for transparency and consultation with affected nations.
- The project, costing USD 137 billion, is set to be built in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region.
China has reaffirmed its plans to construct what will be the world's largest dam over the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, near the Indian border. The hydropower project, which is part of China’s larger vision for clean energy development, is set to be built over the Yarlung Tsangpo River (the Tibetan name for the Brahmaputra River). The project has been in the works for some time and, according to China, has passed rigorous scientific verification, ensuring that it will not have a negative impact on downstream countries like India and Bangladesh.
China's Assurance on No Impact to Downstream Nations
During a media briefing, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun assured that the dam will not harm the ecological environment, geology, or water resources of the countries downstream. According to Guo, the project will actually aid in disaster prevention and the response to climate change by improving flood control measures, which are critical for both India and Bangladesh.
Despite these assurances, the project has sparked significant concern in India, where the Brahmaputra is an essential water resource. India has repeatedly expressed its worries about China’s unilateral actions concerning the upper riparian rights to the Brahmaputra, urging China to ensure transparency and consultation with downstream nations regarding the project.
India Voices Concerns, Seeks Transparency
In its first official response to the announcement, India’s External Affairs Ministry expressed its concerns over the potential negative effects of the dam, especially regarding water flow and ecology in Arunachal Pradesh and Bangladesh. India emphasized its established user rights over the waters of the Brahmaputra, stressing that it will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to safeguard its interests. Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for India’s External Affairs Ministry, reiterated that India has consistently raised these concerns through both diplomatic channels and expert-level discussions.
China Defends Hydropower Project, Cites Long-Term Studies
On December 27, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also defended the mega dam project, asserting that decades of scientific studies had ensured the project’s safety and its non-detrimental impact on the downstream nations. She further emphasized that China would continue to maintain communication with India and Bangladesh through existing channels to address any concerns and enhance cooperation on disaster prevention. According to Ning, the project aligns with China’s broader goals of developing clean energy and addressing climate change and extreme hydrological disasters in the region.
The Controversial Location of the Project
The dam is set to be constructed at a strategic location along a tectonic plate boundary in the Himalayan region, an area known for its seismic activity. The project’s estimated cost of around USD 137 billion makes it one of the most expensive and ambitious hydropower initiatives globally. The dam’s location, in the Yarlung Tsangpo River gorge, marks a crucial point where the Brahmaputra River makes a U-turn, flowing into Arunachal Pradesh in India before continuing to Bangladesh.
India’s officials have raised concerns that any changes to the flow of water or the construction of large-scale projects in the upper reaches of the river could affect water availability and agriculture in the downstream regions. Given the economic significance of the Brahmaputra for both India and Bangladesh, the dam’s potential effects on the region’s water security and agriculture are critical issues.
Impact on India-Bangladesh Relations
Both India and Bangladesh share the Brahmaputra River, with Bangladesh being a lower riparian state heavily reliant on its waters for agriculture and daily life. The mega dam project is likely to become a point of contention not only between China and India but also between India and Bangladesh, as both countries share mutual concerns about any potential disruption to the river’s flow.
Looking Ahead: Navigating Diplomatic Waters
As China moves forward with its plans to build the world’s largest dam on the Brahmaputra River, the project is poised to become a key issue in India-China and China-Bangladesh relations. The hydropower development project will also be closely monitored by global environmental groups and experts due to its potential impact on the Himalayan ecology and the lives of millions of people in the downstream countries. Given the geopolitical sensitivity of the project, it is clear that transparency, cooperation, and diplomatic engagement will be essential in addressing the concerns of all affected nations.