China starts construction of Tibet mega-dam
Beijing approved the project in December on the river -- known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet and Brahmaputra in India -- linking it to the country's carbon neutrality targets and economic goals in the Tibet region.
"The electricity generated will be primarily transmitted to other regions for consumption, while also meeting local power needs in Tibet," state news agency Xinhua reported after the groundbreaking ceremony in southeastern Tibet's Nyingchi.
Once built, the dam could dwarf the record-breaking Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in central China -- and have a potentially serious impact on millions of people downstream in India and Bangladesh.
The project will entail constructing five hydropower stations, with the total investment estimated to be around 1.2 trillion yuan ($167.1 billion), Xinhua said.
Indian government said in January it had raised concerns with China about the project in Tibet, saying it will "monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests".
In December, Beijing's Foreign Ministry said that the project would not have any "negative impact" downstream, adding that China "will also maintain communication with countries at the lower reaches" of the river.
Besides downstream concerns, environmentalists have also warned about the irreversible impact of such mega projects in the ecologically sensitive Tibetan plateau.
Both India and China, neighbours and rival Asian powers, share thousands of kilometres of disputed borders, where tens of thousands of soldiers are posted on either side.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
2 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
MEA turns down request for delegation to Yemen citing legal, security constraints in Nimisha Priya case
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has denied a request from the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council to send a five-member delegation to Yemen to negotiate the release of Nimisha Priya, the Indian nurse facing a death sentence in the war-torn country. In a formal communication, the MEA cited serious security concerns, the absence of diplomatic relations with the authorities in Sana'a, and a recent Supreme Court directive which held that such negotiations must be conducted solely between Priya's family and the family of the Yemeni victim. 'The Indian Embassy in Yemen has been relocated to Riyadh due to the disturbed security situation,' the MEA said. 'The Ministry is concerned about the delegation's safety and well-being. The security situation in Sana'a remains tenuous, and recent regional developments have made matters more challenging.'
NDTV
20 minutes ago
- NDTV
'US Tariffs Will Hurt Andhra Aqua Farmers, We Will Help Them': Chandrababu Naidu
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh is exploring options to ensure the fallout of the US imposing 25 per cent tariffs on India does not affect the state's aqua farmers, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said on Saturday. Addressing farmers for the first time since US President Donald Trump announced the tariff hike, Mr Naidu in his first comment on the US tariff hike said the state government is supporting aqua farmers by giving them electricity at 1.50 paise per unit. "The increase in tariffs in America will burden the aqua farmers in the state," he said. "We have taken note of the matter and we will discuss it with farmers in a day or two. Then we will make an action plan." The chief minister said fishermen were given Rs 10,000 earlier. "But now we will give Rs 20,000 each. We have given financial aid to 1.30 lakh people under the Matsyakarula Sevalo," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also said the welfare of farmers, small industries and young people remains the government's "top priority" as the country stays on track to become the world's third-largest economy. At an event in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency, the prime minister reaffirmed the resilience of the Indian economy amid turbulence triggered by the US tariff hike, saying India must remain vigilant about its economic interests and adopt "swadeshi (indigenous)" products. "There is an atmosphere of global instability. All countries are focusing on their individual interests. India is going to become the third biggest economy in the world and this is why India will have to stay alert as far as its economic interests are concerned," PM Modi said. Apart from the tariffs, Mr Trump announced a penalty on India for buying Russian oil.
India.com
32 minutes ago
- India.com
Indian Army makes big defence deal, will buy 212 tank transporter trailers that will enhance military operational capability
(Image: ANI) New Delhi: The Indian Army on Friday, 1 August, signed an agreement of Rs 223.95 crore with Axiscades Aerospace and Technologies Private Limited. Under this, 212 state-of-the-art 50-tonne tank transporter trailers will be purchased. This deal is an important step towards increasing the operational mobility capability of the army and supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. This agreement was signed under the Indian-IDDM category. This agreement gives priority to indigenous design, development and manufacturing. This will strengthen self-reliance in the defence sector. These trailers are equipped with hydraulic/pneumatic ramps and steerable and liftable axles. These will make it easier to transport tanks and armoured vehicles to difficult areas. These trailers will add to the operational strength of the army and greatly enhance the logistics and operational capabilities of the army, and will act as a force multiplier. This deal will boost the indigenous defence manufacturing sector and will also create permanent employment opportunities. This is a sign of strong preparation for future challenges. Earlier, the Indian Army conducted the high-tech Divya Drishti exercise in Sikkim on 28 July. The exercise, conducted in the high-altitude areas of East Sikkim, tested new technologies designed to improve battlefield awareness, real-time surveillance and quick decision-making. The soldiers of the Tri Shakti Corps used a combination of ground-based systems and aerial platforms, including UAVs and drones, to execute real scenarios. Its special feature was the use of AI sensors. These sensors were connected to advanced communication systems. This arrangement ensured smooth and secure data flow between the command centres and helped in increasing situational awareness as well as making accurate decisions, i.e. a strong sensor-to-shooter link was created.
