India has raised concerns regarding the diversion of waters from the Brahmaputra River, the Indian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday after reports that China is building a mega dam on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River near the Line of Real Control (LAC). in Tibet.
The Chinese side has assured that they are only carrying out river hydroelectric projects that do not involve the diversion of Brahmaputra waters, MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava said at a weekly press conference.
“We have urged them to ensure that the interests of downstream states are not undermined by activities in the upstream areas. The Chinese side told us on several occasions that they are only carrying out river hydroelectric projects that do not involve the diversion of the Brahmaputra waters, ”said Srivastava.
He also said the government is monitoring developments and, as a lower riparian state with considerable established user rights to cross-border river water, “we have constantly conveyed our concerns to China.”
“We intend to remain engaged with China on the issue of transboundary rivers to safeguard our interests,” Srivastava said.
Earlier this week, Chinese state media reported that Beijing will build a “super” dam on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River. Chinese media had indicated that the dam could arise in the TAR county of Medog, which is close to Arunachal Pradesh.
Originating in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), the cross-border Yarlung Zangbo flows into Arunachal Pradesh where it is called Siang and then to Assam as Brahmaputra before flowing into Bangladesh.
The capacity of the new dam to generate hydroelectric power could triple that of the Three Gorges Dam in central China, which has the largest installed hydroelectric capacity in the world.
China had previously downplayed its plan, saying there is no need to have “any anxiety” about the project and said it will continue to have “good communication” with the lower riparian states: India and Bangladesh.
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