Chinese Dam Project on Brahmaputra

(Project)

Source: The Hindu, Reuters

Why in News

China’s recent approval of constructing the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra River (Yarlung Zangbo) in Tibet.

It has significant implications for India-China relations, particularly concerning water resource management and geopolitical dynamics.

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Key Points about the Project:

• Project Details: The dam is expected to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, surpassing the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam.
  • The project’s cost is anticipated to exceed the Three Gorges Dam’s expenditure of 254.2 billion yuan.
• Environmental and Safety Concerns: The dam’s location in an ecologically fragile Himalayan region, prone to earthquakes, raises significant environmental and safety concerns.
  • China asserts that it has conducted extensive studies to address these issues.
• Impact on Downstream Countries: India and Bangladesh, as lower riparian states, have expressed concerns about potential impacts on water flow and ecology. China maintains that the project will not negatively affect downstream regions and has pledged to maintain communication with these countries.

Background of the Project:

The Yarlung Zangbo River originates in Tibet and flows into India as the Brahmaputra before reaching Bangladesh.

China’s plans for hydropower projects on this river have been a longstanding source of concern for downstream countries due to potential impacts on water resources and regional ecology.

Challenges with the Project:

• Water Security: India relies on the Brahmaputra for agriculture, drinking water, and hydropower.
  • Alterations in the river’s flow could have significant implications for water availability.
• Ecological Impact: Changes in sediment flow and water levels could affect the river’s biodiversity and the livelihoods of communities dependent on it.
• Geopolitical Tensions: The dam’s proximity to the disputed border area may exacerbate existing tensions between India and China.
• Security and Geopolitical Challenges: The construction of the dam near the Indian border raises several security and geopolitical challenges:
  • Strategic Leverage: Control over the Brahmaputra’s flow provides China with potential strategic leverage over India. In times of political tension, the ability to alter water flow could be used coercively.
  • Lack of Formal Agreements: The absence of a formal water-sharing treaty exacerbates uncertainties and mistrust between the nations, making it challenging to manage disputes amicably.
  • Regional Stability: Infrastructure projects in disputed or sensitive areas can heighten tensions, affecting broader regional stability and security dynamics.

Advantages of the Project:

• Renewable Energy: The project aligns with global efforts to increase renewable energy capacity and reduce carbon emissions.

Way Forward

To address the geopolitical and environmental challenges posed by China’s Brahmaputra dam project and foster regional stability, the following steps can be pursued:

1. Formalizing a Water-sharing Agreement:
   • India, China, and Bangladesh should work towards a trilateral, legally binding water-sharing treaty. This can establish mechanisms to ensure equitable water distribution, address environmental concerns, and reduce mistrust.
2. Strengthening Existing Dialogue Mechanisms:
   • Reviving and strengthening existing India-China dialogues on transboundary rivers and water resources is critical.
   • Establishing a Joint Mechanism for Environmental and Seismic Impact Assessments can ensure projects like the Brahmaputra dam comply with international ecological and safety standards.
3. Engaging Multilateral Platforms:
   India and Bangladesh could engage platforms such as the UN Convention on Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses to establish a rules-based framework for transboundary water management.
4. Investing in Domestic Infrastructure:
   • India should expedite its river management projects, such as the construction of hydropower plants and water storage systems in Arunachal Pradesh, to ensure optimal use of Brahmaputra waters.
   • Implementing flood control systems and disaster preparedness plans will minimize the impact of any future water flow changes.
5. Advocating for Transparency:
   • India must push China for increased transparency in its water-related projects by ensuring timely sharing of hydrological data, especially during the monsoon season.

Conclusion

While dialogue mechanisms exist between India and China, the construction of the Brahmaputra dam underscores the need for more robust and formal agreements, particularly concerning transboundary water management. Addressing these challenges through sustained diplomatic engagement is crucial for maintaining regional stability and fostering cooperative bilateral relations.