January 3rd 2025.
The tensions between India and China have risen once again as China recently announced its plans to construct a massive dam on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet. In response, India has stated that it will closely monitor the situation and take necessary measures to safeguard its interests.
New Delhi's first reaction to the proposed dam was to urge Beijing to ensure that the interests of downstream states, such as Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, are not harmed by activities in the upstream areas. Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for India's External Affairs Ministry, stated that they will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to protect their interests.
There have been concerns about the potential negative impact of the dam on the ecological balance of the region. As a lower riparian state with established user rights to the Brahmaputra river, India has consistently expressed its concerns and views to China through diplomatic channels. Jaiswal also emphasized the importance of transparency and consultation with downstream countries, especially after the latest report on the dam project.
India has urged China to ensure that the interests of downstream states are not harmed by any activities in the upstream areas. This comes after China's announcement on December 25th about their plans to build the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra river, with an estimated cost of USD 137 billion. The proposed location of the dam in the ecologically fragile Himalayan region has raised further concerns.
According to available details, the dam will be constructed in a huge gorge where the Brahmaputra makes a U-turn towards Arunachal Pradesh and then flows into Bangladesh. Not surprisingly, this announcement has caused concerns not only in India but also in Bangladesh. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning has assured that the project will not negatively affect the lower reaches of the river.
She also stated that China will maintain communication with countries at the lower reaches through existing channels and increase cooperation on disaster prevention and relief for the benefit of the people living near the river. As the tensions continue to rise, both countries are trying to address the concerns and maintain a peaceful relationship. Only time will tell how this situation unfolds.
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