
China's $170 bn dam on Brahmaputra: Should India worry?
China
on
Yangtze river
is the biggest in the world. Now China has started building an even bigger dam. As per Xinhua news agency, China's Premier Li Qiang has announced that construction has begun on the dam on Yarlung Zangbo — the Tibetan name for the
Brahmaputra
river — on the eastern rim of the Tibetan Plateau near the Indian border, at an estimated cost of at least $170 billion. It will have the capacity to produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equal to the amount of electricity consumed by Britain last year. It's expected to be completed in the 2030s.
While
India and Bangladesh
have already raised concerns about its possible impact on the millions of people downstream, China has said the dam will help meet power demand in Tibet and the rest of China without having a major effect on downstream water supplies.
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Select a Course Category
Operations Management
CXO
others
Data Analytics
healthcare
Data Science
MCA
Others
Leadership
Public Policy
Digital Marketing
Data Science
MBA
PGDM
Technology
Design Thinking
Management
Degree
Artificial Intelligence
Healthcare
Product Management
Cybersecurity
Project Management
Skills you'll gain:
Quality Management & Lean Six Sigma
Analytical Tools
Supply Chain Management & Strategies
Service Operations Management
Duration:
10 Months
IIM Lucknow
IIML Executive Programme in Strategic Operations Management & Supply Chain Analytics
Starts on
Jan 27, 2024
Get Details
China's "
water bomb
" aimed at India?
India has raised concerns over the dam, as it not only empowers China to control the river's water flow but also poses the risk of flooding border areas by releasing large volumes of water during potential hostilities due to its sheer size and scale, news agency PTI had reported. India is also constructing its own dam on the Siang River, as Brahmaputra is called in
Arunachal Pradesh
, the Upper Siang Multipurpose Project.
In March, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said that if China builds the massive dam over Yarlung Tsangpo river and diverts its water, it will dry up the Siang river and its distributaries affecting the aquatic life of the river and the large population in the plains of Assam and Bangladesh which depends on Brahmaputra river for the irrigation of their agricultural fields. On the other hand, in case, if any conflict arises between the two nations in future, it may release a large volume of water from the dam, which would cause unpredicted flooding in the downstream areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam causing loss of lives and properties.
In April, BJP MP from Arunachal East, Tapir Gao, described China's planned dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo as a "water bomb" that China could unleash against India and other downstream nations. "We have two options — raise our voice, though
Xi Jinping
will not listen; or build an alternative large dam to counter the Chinese water bomb," Gao said.
Live Events
"China isn't merely building dams; it's creating 'water bombs'. The devastation such actions can cause was evident in 2000 when floods triggered by a massive water release washed away nearly all the bridges on the Siang river, as the Yarlung Tsangpo is called in Arunachal Pradesh. Pasighat airport was submerged under 7 feet of water at the time," Gao said.
Gao backed a proposal to build a dam on the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh to mitigate downstream disasters. "Experts informed me the dam could have a 25-metre buffer level extending up to 15km, capable of retaining substantial water during sudden releases and averting disaster. Public consultations are ongoing regarding the proposed dam," he said.
However, Chinese foreign ministry's spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in January that the dam would, to some extent, contribute to
downstream disaster
prevention, mitigation, and climate change response. This was in response to a question about India's concerns regarding the dam, which were discussed during talks between Indian officials and the visiting then US national security advisor, Jake Sullivan.
Should India worry?
Assam Chief Minister
Himanta Biswa Sarma
on Monday tried to alleviate fears on China's move to construct the world's largest dam on Brahmaputra and said he does not foresee any immediate cause of worry as the river gets most of its waters from Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. Speaking to reporters, Sarma said the exact impact of the massive dam, the construction of which began last week, is not properly known as different theories are being floated, and hoped that the Centre must be in touch with China on the matter.
"First -- if Brahmaputra's flow is disturbed by China, then there may be less water and consequently biodiversity will be affected. But there is also a counter view that if less water comes, it will also act as a flood cushioning. So, I don't know which one is correct," he added. Sarma said that the Centre is a better judge on this topic and it will take a call on this.
Unlike the Indus system, where India holds the upstream advantage and Pakistan remains critically dependent on downstream flows, the Brahmaputra dynamic is less binary. As per a TOI article published in July, China commands an upstream position but its leverage is not absolute. Brahmaputra gains most of its volume only after it enters India, fed by torrential tributaries like Lohit, Dibang, and many others draining the eastern Himalayas. Yarlung spans 1,625 km across the Tibetan plateau and seems, at first glance, a river shaped upstream. Only, as it plunges through the Siang gorge into Arunachal and transforms into Brahmaputra, its character changes dramatically. Contrary to the common assumption that upstream means control, Tibet contributes only about 14% of the river's total annual flow. A staggering 86% is generated within India — driven largely by intense monsoon rains and a network of torrential tributaries in Arunachal and Assam.
But the
real threat
is not of deprivation. It is of sudden inundation. If China releases large volumes of water during the flood season, it is India's northeast, particularly Arunachal and Assam, that stands most exposed, as per the TOI article. While China cannot easily weaponise the river by cutting off its flow, the risk will stem from sudden surges — be it from upstream dam releases, engineering misjudgements, or the erratic extremes of a warming climate. For Arunachal and Assam, already battered by recurrent monsoon floods, such shocks could prove devastating.
China doesn't have a pact with any of the lower riparians. India and China did sign an MoU in 2013 but Indian officials said China has not always been open about sharing hydrological data.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
9 minutes ago
- Hans India
India ramps up fertiliser production output, diversifies away from China
Mumbai: After China halted critical fertiliser supplies, the Indian manufacturers are increasing domestic output through advanced technologies and new formulations, according to a report on Monday. India's fertiliser industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2 per cent, reaching $16.58 billion by 2032. In FY25, total fertiliser production increased to 51 MT, supported by flagship schemes such as PM-KISAN and PM-Garib Kalyan Yojana, CareEdge Ratings said in its report. After restrictions on rare earth elements, China halted its speciality fertilisers and key phosphate exports to India. In response to this, India has secured a five-year agreement with Saudi Arabia to import 3.1 million tonnes of Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) annually, which is equivalent to approximately 30 per cent of its domestic requirement. 'This crisis presents a unique opportunity. With China pausing fertiliser supplies, Indian manufacturers are stepping up to bridge the gap by increasing domestic output, which will not only benefit them but also drive innovation, particularly through the adoption of advanced technologies and the development of new formulations," said Priti Agarwal, Senior Director at CareEdge Ratings. "Policymakers, manufacturers, and farmers are collaborating to combat the issue with a combination of alternative sourcing, local production, and on-the-ground innovation,' she added. China accounted for nearly 70 per cent of India's speciality fertiliser imports during the June to December period in recent years. Now, India is signalling a decisive shift towards supply diversification and enhanced resilience by exploring alternatives like Saudi Arabia, Israel, Jordan, Russia, Oman, Morocco. Chinese di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) supply to India began to decline in 2023, then dropped from 2.29 MT in FY24 to 0.84 MT in FY25, and there have been no shipments since early 2025. Inspection clearances for DAP and speciality fertiliser shipments to India have been withheld since April 2025, blocking supplies while exports to other nations continue. "Ensuring adequate inventory and timely distribution — through coordinated efforts between the government and private stakeholders should be the near-term focus. The recent agreement with Saudi Arabia for long-term DAP supply is a timely step in this direction,' said Sachin Mathur, Associate Director at CareEdge Ratings.


India.com
9 minutes ago
- India.com
Skoda Kodiaq Becomes First Petrol SUV from India to Conquer Everest Base Camp
Skoda Auto India has set the historic benchmark with the Skoda Kodiaq, as the first Indian-made SUV powered by petrol to get to the North Face Base Camp of Mount Everest. The journey comprised of more than 6,000 kilometers of diverse land in India, Nepal, and China, on which the Kodiaq successfully conquered various terrains, cold temperatures below freezing point and high altitudes to set this record. The India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records have acknowledged this historic feat as an engineering, strength and performance testament of the Kodiaq. The journey highlights how Skoda has created vehicles, which can go further than their design and ability. Ashish Gupta, Brand Director of Skoda Auto India reiterated that this journey is a symbol of the aspiration of customer in India to the adventure and the confidence in engineering excellence of Skoda. It is not a destination accomplishment, but he said it is about pushing and then figuring out what can be done. Along with this feat, Skoda Auto India registered the best ever H1 sales in 2025, selling 36,194 units of which is r so as a huffing 134 percent increase compared to H1 2024. The brand has also Fronted 300 customer touchpoints in 172 cities hence strengthening fast growth and strong presence in the market. Skoda is headed towards its 25 th year of operations in India and 130 th year of operations worldwide; the Everest challenge made by the Kodiaq can be summed up as a statement of progress, innovation, and trust. The adventure of the SUV writes an important chapter in the history of Skoda-it means fueling adventures that are above the normal.
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
9 minutes ago
- First Post
From ‘India Out' to ‘India In': Delhi's Maldives reset as a template for regional diplomacy
Thanks to PM Modi's well-prepared and flawlessly executed visit, India-Maldives ties are in a good spot now; the task ahead for South Block is to work determinedly on the Nepal and Bangladesh files read more Social media platforms, such as X, are changing the way communication takes place and judgements are formed by both the ruler and the ruled. Following a widely covered two-day visit (July 25–26) to the Maldives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted, as part of his departure remarks, 'The productive talks with President [Mohamed] Muizzu will add significant energy to our bilateral relations.' A storm of positive reactions followed on X. A thoughtful comment by a follower in this series articulated it well by highlighting that Maldives is 'a strategically crucial neighbour' and, therefore, it is 'vital to keep relations with such a key ally strong, especially given domestic political sensitivities'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Those watching the Indian PM's visit from distant regions may not be aware of the need to place India-Maldives relations on an even keel, but those closely following developments in South Asia are conscious of the high stakes involved—for Maldives, India, and the region. This positive visit and its substantive outcomes demonstrate that the forces favouring regional stability, peace, and cooperation stand strengthened by what was achieved and the favourable public reactions. The Backdrop As one who managed the division in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) handling India-Maldives relations in the 1990s, I can affirm that from the time of the presidency of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (1978–2008) to that of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (2018–23), the relationship grew from strength to strength, with the exception of the tenure of President Abdulla Yameen (2013–18). The president, Mohamed Muizzu, was influenced by Yameen's thinking. He deployed the 'India Out' campaign to secure power in 2023 and acted initially to suggest that he would be perfectly happy to execute a strategic pivot to China. His first visits to Turkey and China, rather than to the closest neighbour—India; the conclusion of 20 agreements in Beijing; and the raging controversy over his public demand to India to withdraw a small team of defence personnel stationed there to man an Indian aircraft and two helicopters for the benefit of the Maldivian people created a challenging situation. People in India reported adverse reactions. But quiet diplomacy got into action. It produced results, yielding to the logic of geography and the compelling realities of geopolitics. What followed was the visit to the Maldives by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in August 2024. This is when the foundations of a reset were laid. A changed leader, now reflecting the transformation of a former mayor of Male into a true president of the Maldives, Muizzu paid a successful visit to India in October 2024. The two governments crafted and announced 'A Vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership' on October 7. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The crucial transaction was this: India spoke about the importance of Maldives in the former's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision SAGAR (since elevated to MAHASAGAR), assuring the island nation of 'its commitment to assist' in its development journey, whereas Maldives formally 'acknowledged India's continued role as the 'First Responder' of Maldives in times of need'. It also promised to safeguard India's security interests. Key Outcomes Against the above backdrop, PM Modi's July visit—the third to Maldives but the first in Muizzu's tenure—served the basic purpose of educating and sensitising the people of Maldives that India's generosity and noble intentions towards them remain unchanged. In a special gesture, he was received at the airport by the president and his senior ministers. Wide-ranging discussions followed with the government leaders. But Modi also interacted with opposition figures, business leaders, the Indian diaspora, and others. The importance of his presence as the guest of honour at the 60th Independence Day celebrations of Maldives did not go unnoticed. The idea that, regardless of the change in government, India remains a steady and valuable partner of the Maldives seems to have sunk in. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Observers may have noted that the state visit did not result in a joint declaration. The explanation gathered was that the agreed long-term vision of October 2024 remains valid and relevant. Hence, it obviated the need for another document within a few months. Some ill-informed critics could argue that no civilian honour was bestowed on the eminent visitor. They should be informed that the country's highest civilian award was conferred on Mr. Modi in 2019. The positive results of the visit were announced clearly and concisely. MEA presented on its website the list of four agreements, or MoUs, three of which related to the economic facets of the relationship. India extended a new Line of Credit (LoC) of Rs 4,850 crores to Maldives and agreed to reduce the annual debt repayment obligations on previous Lines of Credit. The two governments also agreed to the launch of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. Six projects, including social housing units and high-impact community development initiatives, were inaugurated or handed over to the Maldivian authorities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD An elaborate ceremony of exchange of MoUs/agreements took place concerning eight agreements, which covered not only economic and trade matters but also cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture, meteorology, digital solutions, and the pharmaceutical field. A commemorative stamp was jointly issued to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives. An Evaluation President Muizzu depicted PM Modi's sojourn as 'a defining visit that sets a clear path for the future of Maldives-India relations'. Presenting an overall assessment, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called it a 'very, very timely and productive visit'. It provided the opportunity for the two leaders to review and further develop bilateral cooperation. They agreed that the various elements of the joint vision should continue to be implemented through a concerted approach. Following the visit, a critical analysis highlights three key aspects of this relationship and its broader implications. First, the reset in bilateral relations, begun last August during EAM's visit, has now gained special momentum. It owes much to New Delhi's patience and pragmatism, as well as its studied refusal to be provoked by public irritants. Wisely, the larger picture was kept in view. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Second, from a regional perspective, the visit demonstrated India's continued priority to consolidate its position in South Asia. Progress in relations with the Maldives, as well as with Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Afghanistan, and the continued excellent equation with Bhutan, ensures that India's leadership position remains largely intact. However, challenges regarding Bangladesh and Pakistan appear to be daunting. Third, the larger geopolitical context suggests that the competition between India and China in South Asia will persist unabated. In this context, mobilising diplomatic support and complementary policies from India's partners—the US, Japan, and Australia—may be desirable, especially in the case of the Maldives and Sri Lanka. There is room for progress in this sphere. Thanks to PM Modi's well-prepared and flawlessly executed visit, India-Maldives ties are in a good spot now. The task ahead for South Block is to work determinedly on the Nepal and Bangladesh files. Rajiv Bhatia is a Distinguished Fellow at Gateway House, a former Indian Ambassador with extensive diplomatic experience in regional and global groupings, and the author of three books on Indian foreign expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD