India (Commonwealth Union)_ India expressed major concerns over China‘s mega project to build a large hydroelectric dam on Tibet’s Yarlung Tsangpo River, which is called the Brahmaputra River after it enters India. The development raises new concerns about the project’s environmental, agricultural, and geopolitical implications for the region. Chinese authorities recently launched work on the Yarlung Zangbo River Lower Reaches Hydropower Project, a multibillion-dollar initiative that includes building a series of five power stations and diverting the river through tunnels, straightening parts of its natural flow. The estimated cost of the project is a staggering 1.2 trillion yuan, or roughly $168 billion.
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Beijing says the power generated from the dam will primarily serve regions outside Tibet while also supplying local demand. But for India, which lies downstream, the project brings with it the potential for water scarcity, disrupted agriculture, and environmental imbalance, especially in the country’s northeast. Officials in New Delhi say any major changes to the Brahmaputra’s flow could affect millions of people who rely on the river for drinking water, farming, and fishing. These issues were discussed again when External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Beijing recently, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During the meeting, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of transparency and cooperation in water-related issues, urging China to consider downstream nations’ common interests.
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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also revealed that it is closely observing the situation and further developments. “The government has taken note of the reports about the construction of a large dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet. China first revealed this project in 1986, and since then, preparations have been in progress, according to the MEA. Accordingly, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh addressed the issue in Parliament, reaffirming that the Indian government has been actively monitoring the development and has often expressed its concerns to Chinese authorities. He said India remains firm on the need for transparent data sharing and proper consultation before any further work progresses. “There is an institutional expert-level mechanism, established in 2006, through which issues related to transboundary rivers are discussed with China,” Singh said, adding that diplomatic channels are also being used to express India’s position.
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The Brahmaputra, which originates from the Jiema Yangzong glacier near Mount Kailash in Tibet, flows into India through Arunachal Pradesh (as the Siang), becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam, and continues into Bangladesh before merging with the Ganges and emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Any disturbance to its natural flow, particularly upstream, could have far-reaching consequences for millions in numerous nations. Additionally, environmentalists have also expressed further concerns. The area where the dam is being built is known for its delicate environment and significant seismic activity. Large-scale construction in such areas could risk river flow disruption, increased flooding, and loss of biodiversity. Furthermore, environmentalists say that the long-term impacts of this project could also be harmful for both the environment and local communities.
India has also requested an increase in the sharing of hydrological data, which is particularly important during monsoon seasons. In the past, China has refused to share this data during crucial times, which raised tensions while also impacting India’s ability to handle flood risks downstream. Although there is no formal water-sharing agreement between the two nations, India relies on information from China about upstream conditions to predict and manage river flow. As a result, New Delhi is concerned that the new project would benefit Beijing by increasing its control over water flow in South Asia, a leverage point with potentially far-reaching geopolitical implications. As Chinese construction advances, India urges China to engage with downstream states and keep them informed, emphasizing that collaboration, rather than unilateral action, is the most effective approach to ensure the region’s ecological and geopolitical stability.
