China’s Gameplan
The dam will be built in the Himalayan region where the Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmaputra) River takes a U-turn, flowing into India and Bangladesh. The dam will dwarf all other global infrastructure projects, surpassing China’s own Three Gorges Dam. The project’s total cost is estimated to exceed one trillion yuan ($137 billion). The site is in a seismically active zone, raising safety concerns.
Beijing’s Response
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasised that China has conducted decades of in-depth studies and implemented safeguard measures to prevent negative impacts on lower riparian states. Mao assured that the dam would not harm the downstream environment or disrupt water flow to India or Bangladesh. The project aims to accelerate clean energy development and address climate change and hydrological challenges. China reiterated its commitment to maintaining communication with neighboring countries, including through existing mechanisms like the Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) for trans-border rivers.
The bigger picture: India and Bangladesh’s concerns
New Delhi is concerned that China could control water flow, potentially releasing large amounts during hostilities. India is also building its own dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh. Dhaka also shares similar fears, as its water security is linked to the Brahmaputra. On the data sharing front, as part of ongoing talks, India and China agreed to continue exchanging hydrological data during the flood season, as per recent discussions between Special Representatives. This massive project is part of China’s broader plans outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and aims to transform the region into a hub for clean energy while also responding to the challenges posed by climate change.
With inputs from agencies
