Sat Jan 04 02:22:19 UTC 2025: ## India Raises Concerns Over China’s Massive New Dam on Brahmaputra River
**New Delhi, India –** India has expressed serious concerns over China’s announcement to construct the world’s largest dam on the Brahmaputra River (Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet), citing potential environmental damage, seismic risks, and significant impacts on downstream Indian states. The dam, projected to generate 300 billion kWh of electricity annually – more than triple the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam – is slated for construction in a geologically sensitive and environmentally fragile region of the Himalayas, near the India-China border.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated Friday that India will protect its interests and has urged China to ensure transparency and consultation regarding the project. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized India’s established user rights to the Brahmaputra’s waters and reiterated concerns expressed through diplomatic and expert channels about the potential for severe droughts and devastating floods in downstream areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, potentially affecting millions of people.
The MEA’s statement follows Beijing’s announcement of the USD 137 billion project, part of China’s 14th five-year plan. While China has not disclosed the number of people to be displaced, the scale of the project dwarfs the Three Gorges Dam, which necessitated the resettlement of over 1.4 million people.
Experts warn that the dam could exacerbate existing geopolitical tensions between India and China, potentially triggering water conflicts, a scenario explored by geopolitical advisor Genevieve Donnellon-May in 2022. The project’s enormous scale and location raise significant concerns about its environmental impact on the Tibetan plateau and the downstream consequences for India, including alterations to the river’s course and agricultural landscapes. India has pledged to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate action to safeguard its interests.
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