The goal is to build the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. But in doing so, China has increased India’s worries. China is building a dam in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, 50 km from the Indian border. This dam will have a devastating impact on India.
China had already announced the construction of the dam. Construction work has started recently. And that added to Delhi’s discomfort. Indian intelligence and satellite images show that construction of the dam has progressed significantly in recent months. There are reasons for concern surrounding the construction of such a large dam on a river in a transboundary region.
China is building a hydroelectric dam on the Yarlung Sangpo River. The river originates in Tibet and enters India through Arunachal Pradesh, where it is called Siang. It enters Assam and is known as Brahmaputra River. Millions of Indians depend on the Brahmaputra for their livelihood.
Experts believe that the water level in the lower basin could drop by as much as 85 percent during the summer months if the dam is built. It will disrupt agriculture as well as industrial production in India and Bangladesh. Large areas of Arunachal and Assam may be inundated if excess water is released during the monsoon season.
Moreover, the construction of hydroelectric dams will disrupt the normal flow of water and the normal process of sediment transport. May damage the environment. Building a dam on the river will also make it easier for China to conquer India. Because in that case they will control the flow of water.
Beijing claims that the hydropower project aims to generate electricity. It will not harm any other country. But India is reluctant to take risks. India is monitoring the situation. Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was scheduled to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in July 2025. He raised the issue there.