Parliament Question: Impact of Construction of Dam on Arunachal Pradesh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5738 ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026 IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION OF DAM ON ARUNACHAL PRADESH 5738. SHRI T R BAALU Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:- (a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the several print media reports that China has started construction of the world's largest dam 50 kms from border which has potential of having devastating impact on Arunachal Pradesh, if so, the details thereof; and (b) whether India has opposed the dam project and taken up the issue with Chinese authorities and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) 1(a to b) Government of India has taken note of reports about commencement of construction of mega dam project by China on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo (upper reaches of the Brahmaputra) River in Tibet. This project was first made public as far back as 1986 and since then, preparations have been underway in China to implement the project. Government carefully monitors all developments relating to the Brahmaputra river, including plans by China to develop hydropower projects, and takes necessary measures to protect our interests, including preventive and corrective measures to safeguard life and livelihood of Indian citizens residing in downstream areas. Various issues relating to trans-border rivers are discussed with China under the ambit of an institutionalised Expert Level Mechanism which was established in 2006, as well as through diplomatic channels. As a lower riparian state with considerable established user rights to the waters of the trans-border rivers, Government has consistently conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, including on the need for transparency and consultation with downstream countries and has urged them to ensure that the interests of downstream states are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas. 2The need for cooperation on trans-border rivers, including resumption of provision of hydrological data by the Chinese side has been highlighted by the Government in several bilateral interactions with China including during the Prime Minister’s meeting with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Tianjin on 31 August 2025. ***** 3