India Raises Alarm Over China's Plans for Massive Brahmaputra Dam

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India has officially protested China's plans to construct a mega dam on the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River, raising concerns about ecological impacts and regional tensions. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs called on China to ensure that the interests of Brahmaputra riparian states are not harmed by the mega project. According to reports, the Chinese government has approved the construction of the Medog Dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo, which is expected to be the largest dam in the world. Once completed, it could generate up to 60,000 megawatts, three times the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River.

India and Bangladesh have previously expressed apprehensions regarding the potential disruption of the fragile ecosystem along the river system caused by the dam. Experts have also warned of increased earthquake risks in the seismically active region and possible landslides due to the steep terrain. The Yarlung Tsangpo, which flows through the world's deepest canyon, will see significant alterations as four tunnels are constructed to redirect its flow.

The contentious dam project comes shortly after a thaw in relations between India and China over border disputes that flared in 2020, resulting in numerous casualties. As both countries attempt to navigate their complex relationship, the dam represents yet another potential flashpoint in their interactions.

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