India should have water treaty with China: Rajnath Singh

Opposing big dams in the highly seismic Northeast zone, BJP leader Rajnath Singh today said India should have a water treaty with China to retain the water of Brahmaputra river in the region.

"China has a policy of diverting rivers to its southern region. It affects the rivers here. Congress-led UPA should protest this. If UPA government has the good intention to retain the water of Brahmaputra here, then India should go for a water treaty with China," Singh said.

Addressing a BJP rally against big dams in Dhemaji district, the former BJP president also said India should have a diplomatic policy with China on water for safeguarding the rivers coming here through the neighbouring country.

Criticising big dams in the North-East, Singh said, "No big dam should be built in this earthquake-prone zone. This area has a history of earthquakes. An earthquake devastated the area in 1950. Experts are against big dams here."

"Only multi-purpose dams that benefit people should be constructed here. There is no need to construct dams for power generation only. Centre should give permission for multi-purpose dams only," he said.

"Of the 168 dams to be constructed in Arunachal Pradesh, 32 are big dams. There should be no big dam in Arunachal Pradesh which falls in a seismic zone. Only small dams could be built here. Congress is in power in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Centre should discuss with these states and stop the big dams," he said.