Mega-Dam Project Raises Tensions Between China and India

A 2017 file image of the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon in Tibet. Photo: Zhang Zirong / Imaginechina / Imaginechina via AFP.

The Indian government has raised concerns following the news late last year that China has approved a large new hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. The Indian Foreign Ministry complained late last week that downstream countries’ use of the water would be affected by the dam. Both India and Bangladesh could be affected.

On Tuesday, China defended the project, saying it will help downstream countries with “disaster prevention and reduction and climate response,” and that it won’t have negative environmental or geological consequences.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest news and analysis from Africa, Asia, and across the Global South.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China’s relations across the Global South.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by CGSP Staff

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2
Uncertainty Roils Minerals Markets
3 Chinese Scholars See Russia’s Venezuela Strategy as a Model of Hybrid Power Projection in the U.S.’ Backyard
4 India Forced to Pay Russia in Yuan, Handing China an Unexpected Win
5 From J-10C to Kaan? Indonesia’s Fighter Jet Deal With Turkey Shocks Chinese Military Fans
6 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C

You Might Like

India Wants to Replace China as Africa’s Preferred Construction Partner

Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited Kenya this week as part of New Delhi’s ambitions to become a major development partner to Africa. Like the G7, Jaishankar wants to challenge China’s dominance in ...

India to Build Massive Hydropower Plant Near Contested Border With China

The Indian government will build a $3.9 billion hydroelectric power plant in Arunachal Pradesh, very close to the country’s disputed border with China known as the Line of Actual Control. Environmentalists are condemning ...

China Thinks New India-Mideast-Europe Railway Announced at G20 is Really About China

The Chinese Communist Party is not impressed with the “historic” announcement made at the G20 summit in New Delhi on Saturday that aims to build a vast multi-modal transportation corridor linking India to Europe ...

India to Monitor China’s Mega Tibet Dam Plan

India said Friday it had raised concerns with China about a planned mega hydropower dam construction upstream in Tibet, saying it will “monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests.” If built, ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP
Detected IP: ...