BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER AND CHINA'S BRIDGE
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Source: The Hindu- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has formally inaugurated the construction of a massive hydropower dam in Nyingchi City, situated in the Tibet Autonomous Region along the lower course of the Brahmaputra River, which is locally called the Yarlung Zangbo.
- This significant move, reported by China’s state-run media, signals the beginning of a strategically and environmentally impactful project in a region of geopolitical sensitivity, particularly due to its proximity to India’s northeastern border.
- The project is being described as one of the largest hydropower developments globally, both in scale and investment. It involves the construction of five cascade hydropower stations, a system designed to maximize energy output by building multiple dams along the river’s flow.
- The total estimated investment for the project is about 1.2 trillion Yuan (approximately USD 167.8 billion), underscoring China’s long-term commitment to clean energy infrastructure and regional development in Tibet.
- At present, China’s Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River holds the record as the world's largest dam, boasting an installed capacity of 22.5 gigawatts. However, the newly announced project is likely to surpass it in terms of complexity and strategic relevance.
- The chosen location near the dramatic "Great Bend" of the Yarlung Tsangpo is particularly favorable for hydropower generation.
- Here, the river plunges about 2,000 meters within a short distance of 50 kilometers, offering immense potential for energy extraction through gravitational force.
- This development has broader implications beyond energy. It may influence water flow into the Brahmaputra basin, a lifeline for millions in India and Bangladesh, prompting concerns over transboundary river management and ecological impacts.
- While China insists the project is purely for energy purposes, its location in a seismically active and environmentally fragile zone continues to raise international attention and calls for cooperative water governance among the riparian nations
- The proposed Chinese dam is strategically located near the sharp U-turn of the Brahmaputra River—an area often referred to as the “Great Bend”—where the river dramatically curves before entering India’s Arunachal Pradesh and later flowing into Bangladesh, where it is known as the Jamuna.
- This particular stretch is not only geographically significant but also hydrologically sensitive. Alterations in the river’s natural flow at this point could disrupt the hydrological balance downstream, affecting water availability in both India and Bangladesh.
- Such disruptions may have serious consequences for the agricultural sector, which is heavily dependent on the seasonal flow of the Brahmaputra. Rice and jute cultivation, in particular, are highly water-sensitive, and changes in flow patterns could lead to reduced irrigation potential, crop failure, or delayed sowing seasons.
- Moreover, the river supports millions of livelihoods, especially in the Assam and Bangladesh floodplains, where fishing and farming are key economic activities.
- Environmental experts are also concerned about the dam's impact on the Eastern Himalayas, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot. This region is home to countless endemic and endangered species, and changes in river ecology could disturb aquatic habitats, migratory routes, and forest ecosystems.
- Additionally, the area is prone to seismic activity, raising the risk of dam-related disasters such as landslides or reservoir-induced earthquakes.
- While China underscores the importance of this mega-project as a vital component of its renewable energy strategy—intended to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable development—it has not entered into any formal water-sharing treaty with India or Bangladesh.
- As a result, India and Bangladesh, being lower riparian states, are especially vulnerable to unilateral upstream activities. The absence of a transparent and cooperative water management framework raises geopolitical tensions, as such projects could be used to exert strategic leverage or cause ecological stress during droughts or conflicts.
- Given the transboundary nature of the Brahmaputra, many experts advocate for enhanced regional cooperation, joint river basin management, and early warning systems to ensure that hydropower development does not come at the cost of ecological and social stability across South Asia
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The Brahmaputra River is an international river system, with its basin covering an area of approximately 5,80,000 square kilometers. This vast catchment spans across four countries: China accounts for the largest share at 50.5%, followed by India with 33.3%, Bangladesh with 8.1%, and Bhutan contributing 7.8%.
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Within India, the Brahmaputra basin occupies about 1,94,413 square kilometers, making up roughly 5.9% of the nation’s total land area. The basin extends over several northeastern and eastern states including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, and West Bengal.
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The river has its source at the Chemayungdung Glacier, situated to the east of Mansarovar Lake in the Kailash mountain range in Tibet. In Tibet, it is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo, and it flows eastward for nearly 1,200 kilometers before curving southward.
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Near Namcha Barwa, the river takes a dramatic U-shaped turn—often referred to as the Great Bend—and enters India via Arunachal Pradesh, just west of Sadiya town. Here, the river is called the Siang or Dihang.
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As it flows southwest, the Siang is joined on the left bank by major tributaries such as the Dibang and Lohit, after which it takes the name Brahmaputra.
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On its right bank, the river receives important tributaries like the Subansiri (an antecedent river), Kameng, Manas, and Sankosh. The Brahmaputra continues its journey into the Bangladesh plains near Dhubri in Assam, eventually flowing southward.
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In Bangladesh, after the Teesta River merges from the right bank, the Brahmaputra is referred to as the Jamuna. It later converges with the Padma River, and the combined flow drains into the Bay of Bengal.
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All tributaries of the Brahmaputra within Indian territory are rain-fed, receiving intense rainfall during the southwest monsoon. This makes the region highly prone to seasonal flooding, riverbank erosion, and shifting of river channels, particularly in Assam.
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The river’s topography also makes it ideal for hydropower generation. In its Tibetan course of about 1,700 kilometers, the Brahmaputra descends nearly 4,800 meters, averaging a slope of 2.82 meters per kilometer. However, this gradient decreases drastically to 0.1 meter per kilometer once the river enters the Assam Valley, resulting in slower flow and increased sedimentation
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According to Ashok Kantha, former Indian Ambassador to China, India and China have established a broad-based Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate cooperation on transboundary rivers, along with two separate agreements specifically addressing the Brahmaputra and Sutlej rivers.
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The MoU concerning the Sutlej was prompted by the Parechu incident, which had highlighted the need for consistent hydrological data sharing. However, China did not agree to provide year-round data, and the agreement has since expired and awaits renewal.
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The MoU on the Brahmaputra, which is designed to be renewed every five years, expired in 2023. According to the Jal Shakti Ministry, the renewal process is underway through official diplomatic exchanges.
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The broader umbrella agreement, signed in 2013, remains in force as it has no expiration clause. Despite this, the Ministry’s website notes that no active cooperation is currently taking place under this framework. Additionally, an Expert Level Mechanism established in 2006—intended to support annual bilateral meetings—has experienced periodic disruptions.
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In light of these limited cooperative structures, the 1997 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses is seen as a potential guiding framework for equitable and sustainable management of shared water resources between nations
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For Prelims: UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses (1997), Transboundary River Agreements
For Mains: GS Paper II: International Relations
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Related Question
1.The Brahmaputra River is known as “Yarlung Tsangpo” in which of the following countries?
A) India B) China C) Bhutan D) Bangladesh Answer: B) China |
