Jaishankar Raises Concerns with Chinese Foreign Minister Over Mega Dam on Brahmaputra

New Delhi , August 19 : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised India’s concerns with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi regarding Beijing’s mega dam construction on the lower reaches of the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo) river. The project, being developed in Tibet, has raised apprehensions in India over its potential impact on lower riparian states and downstream livelihoods.

Wang Yi was on a two-day visit to India at the invitation of National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, co-chairing the 24th round of the Special Representatives’ Dialogue on the boundary question. He also held bilateral talks with Jaishankar and called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions between the Foreign Ministers covered bilateral, regional, and global issues, with India strongly highlighting the threats of terrorism in all forms. On the Brahmaputra dam issue, Jaishankar underlined the need for utmost transparency and prior consultation with downstream nations.

China also raised the issue of Taiwan, to which the Indian side reiterated that its policy remains unchanged, focusing only on economic, technological, and cultural ties, similar to other countries.

The Government of India had earlier informed Parliament about China’s plans to construct the mega dam in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that India is closely monitoring developments, raising concerns with Beijing through diplomatic channels, including the institutionalized Expert Level Mechanism established in 2006.

India has consistently conveyed that as a lower riparian state with established rights over trans-border rivers, its interests must not be harmed by upstream projects. Following China’s announcement of the project, India formally demarched Beijing in December 2024. Both sides have also agreed to hold an early Expert Level Mechanism meeting to discuss resumption of hydrological data sharing and cooperation.

The issue of the Brahmaputra mega dam remains a critical point in India-China relations, given its implications for water security, ecology, and millions of people living in downstream areas.