China allays India's fears on Brahmaputra dam

Political parties on Monday expressed serious concerns over China's announcement of completing a major hydropower dam on Brahmaputra, called Yarlung Zangbo in Tibet, even as NDA government tried to allay fears stating that it had full knowledge of the neighbouring country's plans.

China, meanwhile, also tried to sooth nerves in India with China's foreign ministry spokesperson stating that "dams being planned will not affect flood prevention and ecology of downstream areas".

"This dam is not the reservoir project … it is run of the river project. We (central government) already had information about this," said minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju.

However, leaders of the opposition parties like Tariq Anwar of the Nationalist Congress Party, said: "This is an issue of serious concern … Indian government should talk to Chinese authorities regarding this".

Similarly, Jay Panda of the Biju Janta Dal also expressed concern on the issue. "There are many issues with China that we need to deal with … concerning the border and water management are the serious ones," said Panda while adding that these issues have to sorted out with China and India cannot shy away from it.

On Sunday, China announced completion of Zangmu hydropower dam on River Brahmaputra which is called Yarlung Zangbo in Tibet. It is first among four dams on the river and repeatedly concerns have been raised over China pursuing these projects. It is one of the four projects that are aimed at generating a total of 2,000 MW of power.

These dams have triggered fears of flash floods and related risks for millions living downstream in India and Bangladesh. Ecologists and environmentalists have also been warning of adverse effect on fragile ecosystem of Tibet due to these large projects.

Indian government too, over the past few years, has repeatedly expressed concern about the projects including with China stating that it is not going ahead with any diversion projects but only pursuing run of the river projects focussed on generating electricity.

In February 2014, India's ministry of external affairs (MEA) had told parliament that "government carefully monitors all developments on the Brahmaputra River".

"As a lower riparian state with considerable established user rights to the waters of the River, India has conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, including at the highest levels of the Government of the People's Republic of China. India has urged China to ensure that the interests of downstream States are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas," MEA had said.

Chinese government, meanwhile, tried to allay fears expressed in India over the dam.

"The Chinese side is always responsible in developing and utilizing trans-border rivers. We lay equal emphasis on development and protection, and take into full consideration the influence on downstream areas. Dams being planned will not affect flood prevention and ecology of downstream areas," Chinese Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Hua Chunying Monday told reporters in China while replying to a query regarding China taking into account the concerns of downstream countries such as India and Bangladesh regarding these dams.

She also said that "Chinese side and the Indian side have been in communication and cooperation on the issue of trans-border rivers."

"For quite some time, the Chinese side, bearing in mind the big picture of China-India amity and the spirit of humanitarianism, has done a lot in providing the Indian side with the hydrological data of relevant river in the flood season and dealing with emergencies, playing an important role for flood prevention and disaster reduction in downstream areas," the spokesperson added.

She further said since the signing of the MoU between China and India on Strengthening Cooperation on Trans-border Rivers in 2013, the two sides have been in sound communication through the mechanism of expert-level meetings.

"In the joint statement released by the two sides during President Xi Jinping's visit to India last September, the Indian side expressed gratitude to China for its provision of hydrological data and assistance in handling emergencies, saying that the two sides will continue with their cooperation in sharing hydrological data, forecasting floods and handling emergencies concerning trans-border rivers through the mechanism of expert-level meetings," the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson added.

1,600km journey
Originating from a glacier from Kailash ranges of Himalayas, Yarlung Zangbo travels for over around 1,600km in Tibet before flowing into India for over 900 kms where it becomes the Brahmaputra and then goes to Bangladesh.