China’s dam project raises concerns for India

Source: The post China’s dam project raises concerns for India has been created, based on the article “China’s dam project opens the floodgates of concern” published in “The Hindu” on 14th February 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations.

Context: China plans to build a large dam on the Yarlung Zangbo river in Tibet. This worries India due to water flow, environmental risks, and bilateral tensions. Legal issues exist, and regional cooperation is weak. Renewing agreements and expert talks may help.

For detailed information on Tsangpo Dam: Impact on India Explained Pointwise read this article here

Why is China building a dam on the Yarlung Zangbo?

1. China is constructing a large hydroelectric dam on the Yarlung Zangbo river in Tibet to meet its renewable energy goals.
2. The dam aligns with China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), which aims to transition from coal to renewable energy sources.
3. Hydroelectric power is a major component of China’s strategy to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
4. The project is part of China’s broader initiative to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
5. China’s push towards renewable energy is driven by its commitment to sustainable development and reducing environmental pollution from fossil fuels.

How will the dam impact India?

1. Reduced Water Flow: The Brahmaputra is vital for millions in India’s northeast. The dam may disrupt water supply, affecting agriculture and livelihoods.
2. Environmental Risks: The dam is in a seismically active zone. A Tibet earthquake in January 2025 killed 120 people and injured 150.
3. Ecosystem Disruption: It may alter sediment flow, increase riverbank erosion, and harm biodiversity. The dam may also alter sediment flow, increase riverbank erosion, and harm biodiversity.
4. Geopolitical Tensions: The expired MoUs and China’s control over upstream water increase India’s vulnerability.

What are the legal and diplomatic challenges?

1. Lack of Legal Framework: The 1997 UN Watercourses Convention emphasizes fair water use, cooperation, and harm prevention, but neither India nor China is a signatory.
2. China’s Water Policies: China claims to follow fair water-sharing principles, but lower riparian states, including India, accuse it of using water as a tool for pressure.
3. Expired Agreements: MoUs between India and China for sharing water data on the Brahmaputra and Sutlej rivers have expired, increasing uncertainty.
4. Expert Level Mechanism (ELM): It remains the only forum for water discussions between India and China but lacks a binding agreement.
5. Political Tensions: Bangladesh has not strongly opposed the dam due to its growing ties with China. Relations between India and Bangladesh worsened after Sheikh Hasina’s government fell in August 2024. Other lower riparian countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan may also be affected. However, regional cooperation on water issues is weak.

Question for practice:

Examine the environmental, legal, and geopolitical challenges posed by China’s dam on the Yarlung Zangbo.