China’s mega dam project in Tibet provokes opposition in India

Tsering Dhundup

DHARAMSHALA, Feb. 12: The world’s largest hydropower dam proposed by China on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet has triggered strong opposition in India, raising concerns over environmental and geopolitical ramifications.

During the Zero Hour session in Indian Parliament on Monday, Assam Lok Sabha MP and BJP state chief Dilip Saikia voiced objections to the proposed dam. He warned of its potentially devastating impact on Assam and the broader Northeast region, urging the Indian government to implement immediate diplomatic and strategic measures to halt the project. He cited significant threats to the region’s ecological stability, cultural heritage, and water security.

The Brahmaputra River, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows through Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang River and Assam as the Brahmaputra before reaching Bangladesh as the Jamuna. 

The proposed dam is in a seismically active region in Medog County in Nyingtri Prefecture in Kham Province bordering the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Saikia cautioned that the massive infrastructure project could heighten the risk of devastating earthquakes, landslides, and flash floods, further destabilising an already fragile ecosystem in Northeast India.

“The Northeast and Bangladesh already experience recurring floods, and this dam could exacerbate the crisis, disturbing the ecological balance and endangering millions of lives,” Saikia stated in Parliament.

Estimated to cost $137 billion, the dam forms a crucial part of China’s broader hydropower strategy outlined in its 14th Five-Year Plan. Once operational, the facility is expected to generate over 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. However, critics argue that China’s control over the river’s water flow could serve as a geopolitical tool against India and Bangladesh, potentially leading to strategic water shortages or engineered flooding in downstream regions.

“China will gain unprecedented control over the river’s flow, making Northeast India perpetually vulnerable to water manipulation. Additionally, the dam’s proximity to Arunachal Pradesh raises significant national security concerns for India,” Saikia emphasised.

On January 3, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) voiced its concerns regarding the project, reiterating the necessity for transparency and consultation with downstream nations. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “As a lower riparian state with established water-use rights, we have formally conveyed our concerns to China through diplomatic channels.”

A report released by the International Campaign for Tibet in December last year raised alarm over China’s rapid hydropower development in Tibet, citing severe ecological, cultural, and human rights concerns. The study examined 193 dams constructed or planned in Tibet since 2000, highlighting their impact on local communities and religious heritage sites. One notable case is the Khamtok hydroelectric dam, which has caused the displacement of thousands of Tibetans, sparked widespread protests against Chinese authorities, and led to the destruction of centuries-old monasteries.

“China’s aggressive hydropower expansion poses an existential threat to Tibet’s environment, its indigenous communities, and downstream nations,” said Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet. “This unchecked development disregards scientific assessments, human rights, and global climate responsibility.”