India has expressed serious concern over China’s plan to build the world’s largest hydropower dam in Tibet. The project is located near the Yarlung Zangbo river, which flows into India as the Siang and later becomes the Brahmaputra.
The river is a key water source for over 100 million people in India, China, and Bangladesh. According to Indian officials, China’s dam could reduce water flow into India by up to 85% during dry seasons.
India fears this could lead to a major water crisis, especially in its agricultural areas that depend on river water during non-monsoon months. An internal analysis warns China may divert up to 40 billion cubic meters of water yearly—over a third of India’s normal share at the border.
To respond, India is moving forward with its own project—the Upper Siang Multipurpose Storage Dam in Arunachal Pradesh. This dam is expected to be India’s largest and aims to store up to 14 billion cubic meters of water.
The Indian dam would help reduce water shortages in cities like Guwahati and protect against sudden water releases from China’s side. Officials plan to keep part of the reservoir empty to absorb any flood risks.
However, the Indian project faces strong opposition from local communities. In Arunachal Pradesh, at least 16 villages could be submerged, affecting around 10,000 people. Many locals fear loss of land, homes, and farms.
While China claims its dam will not harm downstream countries, India has raised the issue at the diplomatic level. Experts warn that both dams are in earthquake-prone zones, adding more risk to the situation.
India remains cautious, viewing the issue as both environmental and geopolitical. As both nations continue to expand infrastructure near disputed borders, water may become the next major point of conflict.
In other related news also read India’s withdrawal from the ICJ
