India Raised Concern about Chinese Project on Brahmaputra River

Indian raised concerns about possible downstream impact of Chinese Hydropower generation project on Brahmaputra River (called Tsangpo River in China). Chinese government disclosed that since 8 November 2010 it had started constructing dam on Tsangpo River at Zangmu. This is the first major dam constructed on Brahmaputra River by China. This is also the first major dam in Tibet.

India is worried that the construction of Zangmu power project would divert the river water in the different direction and it would adversely impact the flow of water to India.

China stated that Zangmu project was only for hydropower generation and it would not adversely impact the flow of water to India. However, China showed willingness to share information with India on Zangmu project.

 India does not have water sharing treaty with China as it has with Pakistan. In absence of the treaty India can’t seek details on specific Chinese river projects.

Chinese investment in the Zangmu project is 1.2 billion dollars. The project will increase the power capacity from 100 MW to 500 MW.