China’s Mega Dam Sparks Concern in India – Could Water Become a ‘Weapon’?
New Delhi : China is building a massive hydroelectric project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River near the disputed border with Arunachal Pradesh, raising serious concerns in India. Construction of the dam began in July 2025 in the presence of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Experts warn that beyond posing environmental risks, China could potentially use its control over the river’s flow as a strategic weapon against India and Bangladesh.
The River’s Journey and Significance
Originating in China, the Yarlung Tsangpo becomes the Siang when it enters Arunachal Pradesh, and further downstream in Assam, it is known as the Brahmaputra. Control over this river is vital for the water resources and ecological stability of India’s northeastern states.
Three Times Bigger than the Three Gorges Dam
With an estimated cost of USD 170 billion, the project aims to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Once completed, it will be three times the size of China’s famed Three Gorges Dam. The electricity generated will power various regions of China and meet Tibet’s energy demands.
Impact on India-China Relations
Former diplomats believe this project could spark fresh tensions between India and China, despite recent signs of thaw in bilateral ties. In January 2025, flights between the two countries resumed after nearly five years, and in April 2025, both sides agreed to revive pilgrimages and cross-border trade.
Border Dispute Background
India and China have long accused each other of incursions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). India claims the LAC is 3,488 km long, while China maintains it is shorter. China’s claim over Arunachal Pradesh has been a persistent source of friction between the two nations.
Experts’ Warning
Water resource specialists caution that if China were to halt or divert the river’s flow, it could trigger severe flooding or drought in northeastern India. Environmentalists add that a dam of such massive scale would disrupt local ecosystems, fish species, and riverbank communities.
India is now closely monitoring the geopolitical and environmental implications of the project, as this is not merely a question of electricity generation but also of strategic balance.