Staff Reporter
Guwahati: The central government has taken note of the announcement by China about its proposed mega dam project in the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River in Tibet. The issue was also raised during the visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Beijing recently.
The central government carefully monitors all developments relating to the Brahmaputra River, including plans by China to develop hydropower projects, and takes necessary measures to protect the interests of the Indian people living in the downstream areas.
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, in his reply to a question posed by Rajya Sabha member Randeep Singh Surjewala regarding China's decision to construct the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet and its hydrological and ecological implications on Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya due to unguided blockage or sudden discharge of large amounts of water and the government's diplomatic stand on the proposed dam.
In the course of his reply, Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that the Government of India has taken note of China's announcement of a mega dam project approved on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo (upper reaches of the Brahmaputra) River in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Also that the government carefully monitors all developments relating to the Brahmaputra River, including plans by China to develop hydropower projects, and takes necessary measures to protect Indian interests, including preventive and corrective measures to safeguard the life and livelihood of Indian citizens residing in downstream areas.
Minister Singh explained, "Various issues relating to trans-border rivers are discussed with China under the ambit of an institutionalized Expert Level Mechanism, which was established in 2006, as well as through diplomatic channels. As a lower riparian state with considerable established user rights to the waters of the trans-border rivers, the government has consistently conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities and has urged them to ensure that the interests of downstream states are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas. Following the recent announcement by China of the mega dam project, we have amplified our concerns and demarched them on December 30, 2024, including on the need for transparency and consultation with downstream countries."
He further stated that the issue was also raised during the visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Beijing for a meeting of the Foreign Secretary-Vice Foreign Minister mechanism between India and China. During the visit, India and China agreed to hold an early meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism to discuss the resumption of the provision of hydrological data and other cooperation pertaining to trans-border rivers. "Government of India intends to remain engaged with China on the issue of trans-border rivers to safeguard our interests," the Union Minister added.
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