China has started building a huge dam on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet. The river, called Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, flows into India and then Bangladesh. The project was approved by China in December last year. On July 19, Chinese Premier Li Qiang even attended the start of the construction in Nyingchi, Tibet.
This is not a small project. China plans to build five hydropower stations. The total cost? Around $167 billion. That’s more than the GDP of some countries. Once completed, it may even be bigger than China’s own Three Gorges Dam.
The electricity from this mega-dam will power regions far from Tibet. It will also help meet China’s carbon goals. But that’s not the full story.
What’s the problem for India?
India is downstream. That means water from the Brahmaputra flows from China into India. If China controls the flow with a dam, it could affect millions in India’s northeast. It could change water levels, farming patterns, and even create floods or droughts.
Not just India, Bangladesh will also feel the effects.
India has already raised this issue with China in January. The Indian foreign ministry said it would “monitor and take necessary steps to protect our interests.” But China says the dam will not harm anyone downstream and that it will stay in touch with India.
Still, can we trust that?
Why experts are worried
Many experts and environmentalists are ringing alarm bells. The Tibetan plateau is very fragile. Big projects like this can cause long-term damage to the land and ecosystems.
Also, this is not just about water. It’s about power. China and India are already tense over the border. Thousands of soldiers are stationed on both sides. Now, add water to the mix—and you have another pressure point.
India must act smart. Just raising concerns is not enough. Strong planning, regional water cooperation, and backup options are a must. Water is the next frontier in India-China tensions.
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