'Will Adopt Measures to Protect Our Interests': India Reacts to China's Brahmaputra Dam Plans

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that it will continue to monitor China's plan to build a dam on the Brahmaputra river and take necessary measures to protect India's interests, ensuring the safety of downstream states.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen the information released by Xinhua on 25 December 2024 regarding a hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. As a lower riparian state with established user rights to the waters of the river, we have consistently expressed, through expert-level as well as diplomatic channels, our views and concerns to the Chinese side over mega projects on rivers in their territory. These have been reiterated, along with the need for transparency and consultation with downstream countries, following the latest report.”

"The Chinese side has been urged to ensure that the interests of downstream states of the Brahmaputra are not harmed by activities in upstream areas. We will continue to monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests" Jaiswal added.

MEA's response came after China approved the construction of the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, near the Indian border, a project touted as the largest on the planet.

Impact of Dam Construction on India

India has raised concerns over the dam, as it not only empowers China to control the river’s water flow but also poses the risk of flooding border areas by releasing large volumes of water during potential hostilities due to its sheer size and scale, according to news agency.

(with agency inputs)