Rajeev Chandrasekhar's official website - Member of Parliament

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of External Affairs

 RAJYASABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1670
ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 06, 2014

 QUESTION
Construction of Dams on Brahmaputra by China

 

1670. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR: 

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state;

 (a)   whether construction of dams on river Brahmaputra (Tsangpo in Tibet and China) by China has commenced;

 (b)   if so, the action Government has taken to bring China to International Forums to ensure protection of downstream river flows and historical water rights; 

(c)    whether India has sought to enlist Bangladesh's support for the same; and

 (d)   if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor?

 

 ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI E. AHAMED)

 (a) to (d) The 'Outline of the 12th Five Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China' indicates that three more hydropower projects on the main stream of the Brahmaputra River in Tibet Autonomous Region have been approved for implementation by the Chinese authorities. A hydropower project at Zangmu is under construction. Government carefully monitors all developments on the Brahmaputra River. As a lower riparian State with considerable established user rights to the waters of the River, India has conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, including at the highest levels of the Government of the People's Republic of China. India has urged China to ensure that the interests of downstream States are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas. During PM's visit to China in October 2013, the two Governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation on Trans-border Rivers.

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