Question : Dam on Brahmaputra

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether China has allegedly blocked a tributary of the Brahmaputra river which flows into Arunachal Pradesh and Assam before entering Bangladesh for carrying out works on a hydro power project in Tibet and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to review the water treaty, if any, with China and if so the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has raised its concern with China in this regard and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether this issue was also raised during the recent visit of Chinese President to India; and

(e) if so, the response by the Chinese President thereon?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) In September 2016, the Chinese authorities announced blocking of Xiabuqu River in Xigaze in Tibet as part of the Lalho multiple hydro project. Xiabuqu is a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmaputra) River. According to information available, the proposed reservoir is designed to store up to 295 million cubic meters of water to irrigate about 30,000 hectares of farmland. The project also proposes to have two power stations with a combined generation capacity of 42 megawatts. The Lalho project is approximately 1100 kms upstream of the entry point of the Brahmaputra River into India in Arunachal Pradesh.

(b) There is no water treaty between India and China. Government of India, under the Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation on Trans-border Rivers with China, signed in October 2013, obtains hydrological data from China on river Brahmaputra and Sutlej.

(c) As a lower riparian State with considerable user rights to the waters of the Brahmaputra River, India has conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, including at the highest levels. India has urged China to ensure that the interests of downstream States are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas in Tibet.

(d) & (e) Chinese President H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping visited India on 15-16 October, 2016 to participate in the 8th BRICS Summit held in Goa. Prime Minister had a bilateral meeting with President Xi on October 15, 2016. During the meeting, various issues of mutual interest and concerns were discussed. Both sides agreed to make efforts to strengthen the Closer Developmental Partnership on the basis of mutual sensitivity to each other’s concerns, interests and aspirations.