Assam CM Expresses Concerns Over China's Proposed Dam On Brahmaputra

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expressed significant concerns about the possible ecological consequences of China's plan to build a dam on the Brahmaputra River. In his New Year’s press conference, CM Sarma addressed the issue, emphasizing the severe repercussions for the river’s ecosystem and water supply.

“The Government of India is already aware of the matter and has conveyed its concerns to China. I am confident this will be addressed in the ongoing India-China dialogue,” the Chief Minister stated. Sarma cautioned that the dam could disrupt the Brahmaputra's ecosystem, making it increasingly fragile and heavily reliant on rainfall in Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh.

“If sufficient rainfall does not occur in these regions, the Brahmaputra could dry up completely. This poses a significant problem for us, and we have raised these concerns with the Government of India,” he stressed.

The Chief Minister's comments highlight the wider environmental and geopolitical consequences of upstream infrastructure projects on transboundary rivers like the Brahmaputra, which is a vital lifeline for millions in Northeast India.

Earlier, Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi expressed grave concerns over China's construction of the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River. Gogoi claims that Beijing plans to use the dam as an “organic weapon of war” against India, threatening the sovereignty and security of the northeastern region.

Gogoi referred to the dam as a potential “water bomb” with catastrophic consequences for the northeastern region. The MLA asserts that China could control the water flow, either releasing or withholding it, to trigger catastrophic floods or droughts in India's northeast. This manipulation is seen as a strategic tactic to destabilize India without engaging in direct conflict.

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