India is vigilantly observing China’s intentions to establish hydropower projects along the Brahmaputra River, with the aim of protecting its own interests and those of its citizens living downstream, as stated by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in the Rajya Sabha. Singh highlighted that the Indian government is diligently monitoring developments concerning the river and is implementing necessary actions to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of its people. The proposed dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet is anticipated to produce an impressive 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, positioning it as the largest hydropower project globally. However, India has expressed apprehensions regarding its potential effects on water availability, sedimentation, and biodiversity in the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. India has officially communicated its concerns to China, stressing the importance of transparency and the need for consultations with countries situated downstream. Both nations have agreed to convene soon to discuss the revival of hydrological data sharing and collaboration on transboundary rivers. In response to the potential repercussions of China’s dam, India is also planning a 10 GW hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh, aimed at ensuring water security, flood management, and regional development.
