Parallel News Digital Desk, 8th August:
India has taken note of reports that China has begun building a mega dam on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet and is closely tracking developments, the government told parliament on Thursday.
New Delhi “carefully monitors” all activity on the Brahmaputra River, including Chinese hydropower projects, and takes “preventive and corrective measures” to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of people in downstream areas, Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan said in a written reply. India and China discuss trans-border river issues through an expert-level mechanism set up in 2006 as well as diplomatic channels, he said.
“As a lower riparian state with considerable established user rights to the waters of trans-border rivers, the government has consistently conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities … and urged them to ensure that the interests of downstream states are not harmed,” Muraleedharan said.
He added that New Delhi has repeatedly stressed the need for cooperation on trans-border rivers, including the resumption of hydrological data sharing, most recently during the external affairs minister’s visit to China from July 14-16 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation foreign ministers’ meeting.
