&w=3840&q=100)
China begins construction of $167.8 billion Brahmaputra dam near India border
China on Saturday officially commenced construction of a massive USD 167.8 billion dam on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet, close to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced the project's launch during a ground-breaking ceremony held in Nyingchi City, located along the lower stretches of the Brahmaputra, locally known in China as the Yarlung Zangbo, according to state media.
The ceremony was held at the site of the Mainling hydropower station in Tibet's Nyingchi region, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Touted as the world's largest infrastructure initiative, the project has triggered concerns in downstream countries, particularly India and Bangladesh.
The project will consist of five cascade hydropower stations, with a total investment estimated at around 1.2 trillion Yuan (about USD 167.8 billion), the report said.
According to a 2023 report, the hydropower station is expected to generate more than 300 billion kWh of electricity each year – enough to meet the annual needs of over 300 million people.
It will primarily deliver electricity for external consumption while also addressing local demand in Tibet, which China officially refers to as Xizang. Representatives from various organisations, including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Power Construction Corporation of China and locals attended the ceremony, the report said.
With inputs from agencies
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
29 minutes ago
- India.com
'Unparalleled courage, valor displayed by...': PM Modi, Prez Murmu lead nation in paying tributes to Kargil bravehearts
File/Archival Kargil Vijay Diwas: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday led the nation in paying tributes to military personnel who fought valiantly in harsh conditions to hand Pakistan a crushing defeat in the 1999 Kargil conflict. On July 26 that year, the Indian Army announced the successful culmination of 'Operation Vijay', declaring victory after a nearly three-month-long battle on the icy heights of Kargil in Ladakh. India observes the day as 'Kargil Vijay Diwas' every year. Over 500 soldiers made supreme sacrifice in the conflict. In her message, President Murmu, who is also the Supreme Commander of the military, said: 'This day symbolises the extraordinary valor, courage, and steadfast determination of our jawans.' Modi said Kargil Vijay Diwas reminds the country of unparalleled courage and valour of its soldiers who sacrificed their lives in defending the country's pride. Various events were organised across the country, including at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, to mark the occasion. In the event at Drass, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, highlighting the Army's 'unique victory' on the Kargil peaks 26 years ago, said the military achieved a 'decisive victory' during Operation Sindoor as well continuing that tradition. 'It was the time when India made it clear that no evil intention will be allowed inside its borders, no harm will be allowed to the unity and integrity of India,' he said, referring to victory in Kargil. 'Continuing this tradition, during Operation Sindoor too, Indian military with the same indomitable courage and firm resolve targeted Pakistan backed terrorist infrastructure and thwarted other aggressive actions of Pakistan with effective pretense and achieved a decisive victory,' he said. 'Operation Sindoor is our resolve, message and answer,' he said. The Army Chief further added: 'With the unwavering trust of the countrymen and the political freedom granted by the government, the Indian armed forces gave a determined, precise and decisive response.' In his message, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan said the Kargil conflict remains a stark reminder of Pakistan's 'treachery' and that India's adversaries will continue to test its resolve. But the nation will always come out victorious over the enemy's 'deceit and aggression' as was evident in Operation Sindoor, he added. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid glowing tributes to the military personnel who made supreme sacrifices in the conflict. 'On Kargil Vijay Diwas, I pay heartfelt tributes to our bravehearts who displayed extraordinary courage, grit and determination in defending our nation's honour in the toughest of terrains,' Singh said. 'Their supreme sacrifice during Kargil war is a timeless reminder of the unwavering resolve of our Armed Forces. India shall remain forever indebted to their service,' he said in a social media post. Singh and the top military brass also paid tributes to the fallen heroes at the National War Memorial. In his remarks, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Chauhan said Kargil Vijay Diwas is not only about remembering the past but also about drawing inspirations for the future. 'Our adversaries will continue to test our resolve, but the legacy of Kargil reminds us that our jointness, preparedness and unwavering courage — proven once again by the success of Operation Sindoor — will always triumph over the enemy's deceit and aggression,' he said. Gen Chauhan said Kargil Vijay Diwas reminds every Indian of the unparalleled bravery and patriotism of the valiant soldiers who fought fearlessly to safeguard India's territorial integrity as also, the 'bitter truth of Pakistan's betrayal'. 'Pakistan Army's ploy to extend the conflict beyond the Great Himalayan Range by sending regular troops disguised as Mujahideens, remains a stark reminder of their treachery,' he said. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said the legacy of the Kargil 'bravehearts' stands as a testament to the unwavering devotion to the service of the nation. 'Your sacrifice will remain a beacon of inspiration, not only for future citizens of our country but also for those who choose to serve in the defence forces with 'Duty-Honour-Courage!',' he added. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh the Indian Air Force remains committed to defend the sovereignty of the nation and uphold the proud traditions of courage, honour and duty as exemplified by the bravehearts. (Only the headline has been reworked by staff. Copy comes from an agency feed)
India Today
41 minutes ago
- India Today
Sent Rs 3 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu: PM refutes MK Stalin's claim on central funds
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday refuted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's claim that the state was denied its rightful share of funds by the Centre, and said that Rs 3 lakh crore was disbursed to the south Indian state in the last 10 years, which was thrice as much as the UPA government released from 2004 to 2014. The PM said that as many as 11 new medical colleges have also been set up in Tamil Nadu in the last 11 years with the Centre's help. Notably, DMK chief Stalin has been continuously complaining about the Modi government not releasing enough funds for Tamil Nadu. After the Niti Aayog meeting in New Delhi in May, Stalin said that due to a few states not signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education on the PM Shri scheme, the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan funding was denied. He said that specifically, for the year 2024-2025, nearly Rs 2,200 crore in Union funding was withheld from Tamil Nadu. On Saturday, PM Modi addressed a public rally in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi, where he inaugurated infrastructural projects worth Rs 4,900 crore. PM Modi reached Thoothukudi directly from the Maldives where he completed a two-day state visit and signed a number of key agreements with President Mohamed Muizzu.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Modi attends Maldives' Independence Day as Guest of Honour, first Indian Prime Minister to do so
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attended the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives as the Guest of Honour. This is the first time an Indian Prime Minister has joined the Maldives' Independence Day festivities. Modi is also the first foreign Head of State or Government to be hosted by President Mohamed Muizzu for the occasion. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science Data Science Cybersecurity healthcare PGDM Others Design Thinking Product Management Management Finance Technology others Operations Management Artificial Intelligence CXO Healthcare Project Management MBA Leadership Digital Marketing Data Analytics Degree MCA Public Policy Skills you'll gain: Strategic Data-Analysis, including Data Mining & Preparation Predictive Modeling & Advanced Clustering Techniques Machine Learning Concepts & Regression Analysis Cutting-edge applications of AI, like NLP & Generative AI Duration: 8 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Accompanied by President Muizzu, Modi witnessed the Independence Day parade at Republic Square. The celebrations featured a colourful march by the Maldivian National Defence Force and other local units, along with cultural performances highlighting the country's achievements as a modern nation. Extending warm greetings to the government and people of the Maldives, Modi lauded their hospitality and said his participation as Guest of Honour underscored the growing warmth in bilateral ties. The visit comes as India and the Maldives mark 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2025. Later, Modi met leaders from various Maldivian political parties, noting that their participation reflected bipartisan support for the "strong and time-tested friendship" between the two nations. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other senior officials were present. The Prime Minister also held talks with former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, assuring him of India's continued support to Male through capacity building and development cooperation. Modi praised Nasheed as a steadfast advocate of deeper friendship between India and the Maldives.
