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EYE ON INDIA APRIL 04, 2025 | The Indian Eye 8

INDIA-CHINA TENSIONS

India planning its own dam on the Brahmaputra

amid fears of Chinese mega-project on the river

The proposed dam is expected to generate 300 billion kw of electricity annually,

making it the world’s largest hydropower project

OUR BUREAU to China, emphasising the need for
transparency and consultation with
New Delhi
downstream countries.
n an important statement, Minis- “Following the recent an-
ter of State in the Ministry of Ex- nouncement by China of the mega
Iternal Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh dam project, the Government has
underscored on Thursday that India registered its concerns with the Chi-
is keeping a close eye on China’s nese side on 30 December 2024, in-
plans to develop hydropower projects cluding on the need for transparency
on River Brahmaputra, ensuring the and consultation with downstream
country’s interests are protected. countries,” he said.
In a written response to a query “The issue was also raised
in the Rajya Sabha, Kirti Vardhan during the visit of the Foreign Sec-
Singh said that the government is The Brahmaputra River is a vital source of water, supporting agriculture, fisheries, and inland retary to Beijing for a meeting of
monitoring all developments relat- the Foreign Secretary-Vice Foreign
ed to the river and taking necessary transport in India’s northeastern states (ANI) Minister mechanism between India
measures to safeguard the lives and and China on January 26-27, 2025,”
livelihoods of Indian citizens living in the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, stream water flow, silt deposition, he said.
downstream areas. is expected to generate 300 billion and biodiversity. The government has also agreed
Fauzia Khan, a member of Ra- kilowatt-hours of electricity annual- To counterbalance the poten- to hold an early meeting with China
jya Sabha, asked Singh if the mega ly, making it the world’s largest hy- tial impacts of China’s dam, India to discuss the resumption of hydro-
dam was approved by the Chinese dropower project. However, India is is planning a 10 GW hydropower logical data sharing and cooperation
government. “Government carefully worried about the potential impact project in Arunachal Pradesh. This on trans-border rivers.
monitors all developments relating on water availability, silt deposi- project aims to ensure water securi- “During the visit, India and Chi-
to the Brahmaputra river, including tion, and biodiversity in Arunachal ty, flood control, and regional eco- na agreed to hold an early meeting
plans by China to develop hydro- Pradesh and Assam. nomic development. of the Expert Level Mechanism to
power projects, and takes necessary The Brahmaputra River is a vital “Government of India has taken discuss resumption of provision of
measures to protect our interests, source of water, supporting agricul- note of China’s announcement of a hydrological data and other coop-
including preventive and corrective ture, fisheries, and inland transport in mega dam project approved on the eration pertaining to trans-border
measures to safeguard life and live- India’s northeastern states. However, lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsang- rivers. The government of India re-
lihood of Indian citizens residing in China’s proposed mega-dam proj- po (upper reaches of the Brahmapu- mains engaged with China on the
downstream areas,” he said. ect on the river has raised concerns tra) River in Tibet,” Singh said. issue of trans-border rivers to safe-
The proposed dam, located on about the potential impact on down- India has conveyed its concerns guard our interests,” he said.

Tibetans express concern over US cutting funds to RFA, VOA

he recent gutting of US federal funding source in Lhasa, expressing relief that RFA contin- “I listen and follow RFA and I am relieved
for Radio Free Asia (RFA) and Voice of ues to provide news despite financial constraints, to see you are still working despite the funding
TAmerica (VOA) has sparked widespread RFA reported. cut and risk of closure,” said a source in the Tibet
concern among Tibetans living in Tibet, who fear Chinese state media and nationalist commen- Autonomous Region. “I hope and pray that the
losing access to independent news in their lan- tators have celebrated the situation, with Beijing (US) administration reconsiders the decision and
guage. According to a report by RFA, the March Daily declaring, “The beacon of freedom has col- continues to fund your work” as quoted by RFA.
15 termination of Congressionally-authorized lapsed,” and asserting that “US hegemony will Former political prisoner Golog Jigme
grants has forced RFA to furlough much of its eventually perish under global condemnation.” Gyatso emphasized the crucial role of these
staff, leaving Tibetans uncertain about the future This reaction underscores the Chinese govern- news services. “Hundreds of thousands of Ti-
of these critical news sources. ment’s long-standing opposition to these media betans monks, nuns, nomads, farmers try every
Despite the funding cuts, Tibetans report outlets, which have been a vital source of uncen- way possible to tune in to RFA and VOA. That’s
that RFA is still managing to broadcast into the sored news for Tibetans and other communities why both have always been a thorn in the side
region. “We still see you. We still hear you,” said a under restrictive regimes according to RFA. of Communist China,” RFA quoted in a report.

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