India Raises Alarm Over China’s Brahmaputra Dam

India has expressed concern over China’s reported construction of a mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra, which could impact downstream communities in India. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that the government is closely monitoring the project, first publicized by China in 1986.

The dam, part of China’s hydropower ambitions, is located in a seismically sensitive region, raising fears of potential flooding or water flow disruptions in India’s northeastern states, particularly Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Singh emphasized that India, as a lower riparian state, has “established user rights” to the Brahmaputra’s waters and is taking preventive measures to safeguard lives and livelihoods downstream.

India has engaged China through a 2006 expert-level mechanism and diplomatic channels, urging transparency and consultation to protect downstream interests. During External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to China for the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting from July 14-16, 2025, India reiterated the need for cooperation on trans-border rivers, including the resumption of hydrological data sharing, which China halted in 2020.

Also Read: Assam CM Downplays Concerns Over China’s Brahmaputra Mega-Dam

The Brahmaputra, critical for irrigation, fishing, and hydropower in India and Bangladesh, has long been a point of contention. Experts warn that the dam, potentially the world’s largest with a capacity exceeding 60,000 MW, could alter river flows, threatening ecosystems and agriculture. India’s concerns are compounded by China’s upstream projects on other rivers like the Mekong.

The government has assured Parliament that it is pursuing “corrective measures” and engaging Beijing to mitigate risks. Recent reports suggest India is also exploring satellite monitoring and strengthening its own hydropower projects in the northeast to counterbalance China’s actions.

Tags: Brahmaputra Dam, India-China, Yarlung Tsangpo, Trans-Border Rivers, Hydropower

Also Read: Jaishankar Signals Bright Future for India-China Relations