Fri Jan 10 23:05:00 UTC 2025: ## India Raises Concerns Over China’s Brahmaputra Dam Project
**New Delhi, January 11, 2025** – India has voiced strong concerns over China’s plan to construct a massive dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet. The project, estimated at $137 billion, has sparked alarm in India, particularly in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, which rely heavily on the river.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the need to protect India’s rights as a lower riparian nation, stating that the impact of the dam, while yet to be fully assessed, is certain to be significant. His comments follow similar warnings from the Chief Ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, who fear a devastating impact on the region’s ecosystem. Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma predicted a 60% reduction in the Brahmaputra’s ecosystem if the dam is built.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that it has formally conveyed these concerns to China through both diplomatic and expert channels. While China has approved the project, the MEA stressed India’s established user rights to the river’s waters.
Meanwhile, at the second meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC), India announced a significant investment of over ₹50,000 crore ($6,077 million USD approx.) in the next five years to develop its own inland waterways. This includes initiatives aimed at improving riverine communities’ socio-economic conditions and boosting green shipping. The council also launched several new programs to streamline waterway transportation and improve safety. These initiatives, while separate from the China dam issue, underscore India’s commitment to developing its inland waterways infrastructure.
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