Dam across Brahmaputra: Downstream states’ interests shouldn’t be harmed, says India

A typical scene at Brahmaputra River near Guwahati. The 2,906-km long Brahmaputra is one of Asia's largest rivers. For its first 1,625 km it traverses through Tibet, the next 918 km in India, and the remaining 363 km through Bangladesh before converging into the Bay of Bengal. A file photo: Ritu Raj Konwar.

Concerned over China’s move to built three more dams on Brahmaputra river in Tibet, India on Thursday asked it to ensure that the interests of downstream States are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas.

Maintaining that India “carefully monitors all developments on the Brahmaputra River”, official spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said the government has conveyed its “views and concerns” to the Chinese authorities, including at the highest levels.

“As a lower riparian state with considerable established user rights to the waters of the river, India has conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, including at the highest levels of the Government of the People’s Republic of China. India urges China to ensure that the interests of downstream States are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas,” he said.

He was responding to a query regarding China approving construction of three more dams on Brahmaputra River in Tibet in addition to the one being built.

A document approved by the Chinese cabinet recently mentioned three dams to be built at Dagu, Jiacha and Jiexu on Brahmaputra, according to Indian officials in Beijing.

The document listing projects to be completed in China’s 12th five year plan made a passing reference to the three dams without any details, they said.

India has not been informed about the move so far, they said.