"China Approves Construction of World’s Largest Dam on Brahmaputra River".

China has approved the construction of the world’s largest dam on the Brahmaputra River, a project that could become the largest infrastructure initiative globally, with an estimated cost of $137 billion. The dam, set to be built in Tibet near the Indian border, has raised significant concerns in riparian states, particularly India and Bangladesh, about its potential geopolitical and environmental impacts.

The project, which is part of China's 14th Five-Year Plan, will be located on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River— the Tibetan name for the Brahmaputra. This site, where the river makes a major U-turn before flowing into India and Bangladesh, presents enormous engineering challenges due to its proximity to a tectonic plate boundary, making the region prone to earthquakes.

China’s State-run Xinhua news agency confirmed the approval of the dam’s construction on Wednesday, with the hydropower station expected to generate over 300 billion kWh of electricity annually. This is enough to meet the energy needs of over 300 million people. The dam will be built in one of China’s rainiest areas, ensuring a steady supply of water for the project.

The dam’s size and scale—far exceeding even China's Three Gorges Dam—have raised alarms in neighboring India, which has long been concerned about China’s growing control over the Brahmaputra’s water flow. The dam's location and potential to release large volumes of water could have serious implications for water availability in India and Bangladesh, particularly during times of geopolitical tensions. India is also building its own dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh, adding to the complexity of the water-sharing issues in the region.

India and China have established the Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) since 2006 to discuss trans-border river issues, including data sharing during flood seasons. In recent talks between Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, both sides emphasized cooperation on hydrological data exchange. However, the approval of this massive dam project could intensify the concerns over water security in India.

The dam project, which will require the construction of four to six 20 km tunnels to divert a substantial portion of the Brahmaputra’s flow, is being viewed not just as an energy generation initiative but as a strategic project for China’s national security, including control over vital water resources. Yan Zhiyong, the former chairman of the Power Construction Corporation of China, highlighted that the river's hydropower potential could generate more than three times the energy of the Three Gorges Dam.

The project is also expected to contribute significantly to China’s economy, generating approximately $3 billion annually for Tibet. Additionally, it is seen as a vital step in China’s pursuit of carbon neutrality and efforts to combat global climate change.

Despite the reassurances from Chinese officials that the project prioritizes safety and ecological protection, the enormity of the dam—combined with the ongoing tensions between India and China—has sparked growing concerns about its long-term impact on regional water security and environmental stability.

As construction begins on this record-breaking project, India and Bangladesh are likely to intensify their scrutiny of China’s water management strategies, while China remains committed to its ambitious hydropower agenda, asserting that the dam will benefit both domestic needs and international cooperation.

BS