Centre has taken note of China's announcement of dam project: Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh in Parliament

India expresses concerns to China over dam project on Brahmaputra River, emphasizing need for transparency and cooperation.

“The Union Government has “taken note” of China’s announcement of a dam project on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo (upper reaches of the Brahmaputra) river in the Tibet Autonomous Region,” the Centre informed the Parliament on Thursday (February 6, 2025.)

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha also said various issues relating to trans-border rivers are discussed with China under the ambit of an "institutionalised Expert Level Mechanism," which was established in 2006, as well as through diplomatic channels.

China approves world’s largest, $137-billion dam on the Brahmaputra close to the Indian border

“The Ministry was asked whether China’s decision to construct a hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra river, which flows into India and Bangladesh, has raised concerns about its potential impact on millions of people living downstream. The Government of India has taken note of China's announcement of a mega dam project approved on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo (upper reaches of the Brahmaputra) River in the Tibet Autonomous Region," he said.

As a lower riparian state with considerable established user rights to the waters of the trans-border rivers, the government has "consistently conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities," and has urged them to ensure that the interests of downstream states are "not harmed by any activities in upstream areas," the Minister said.

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"Following the recent announcement by China of the mega dam project, we have amplified our concerns and de-marched them on December 30, 2024, including on the need for transparency and consultation with downstream countries," he said.