Why is the Brahmaputra River a source of tension between India and China?

The Brahmaputra, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in China, is a major transboundary river that originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows through India and Bangladesh. The tension stems from China's position as the upstream riparian state, giving it a geographical advantage.

What is China’s mega-dam project on the Brahmaputra River, and what are its potential impacts?

A hydroelectric project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet's Nyingchi area, near the Indian border, is China's mega-dam project. With a projected cost of $167.8 billion, the project officially began building in July 2025 with the goal of producing a significant amount of electricity.

Is there a water-sharing treaty between India and China for the Brahmaputra River?

No, China and India do not have a formal, legally enforceable agreement regarding the sharing of water for the Brahmaputra River or any other transboundary rivers. Instead, a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and an Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) have served as the foundation for collaboration in exchanging hydrological data, especially during the flood season.

How much does China's contribution to the Brahmaputra River water flow actually affect India?

Although a large section of the river's basin is under Chinese control, many experts think that the majority of the Brahmaputra River water flow is produced once it enters India, particularly during the monsoon season. Tributaries from Bhutan and India, as well as local rainfall, significantly increase the river's flow. However, China's contribution is greater during the lean, non-monsoon months, and India's main concern is the possibility of manipulation during this time.

Brahmaputra River: Understanding India-China Water Tensions, 2025

Author

Anamika Chaurasiya

Created

August 17, 2025August 17, 2025

Reading time

10 min

Table of Contents

Introducion

India has serious concerns over China’s plan to construct a massive hydroelectric project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (also known as the Brahmaputra River in Tibet) in Medog County, which is just 30 kilometers from the Indian border. With potential effects on downstream flow regulation, increased flood susceptibility (water bombs), and long-term ecological damage, the project exacerbates concerns about hydro-hegemony. Such unilateral actions jeopardize regional peace and transboundary river governance standards, given the importance of the Brahmaputra for Northeast livelihoods and India’s water security.

What is the Importance of the Brahmaputra River for India?

Water Security and Agriculture
- For India, especially its northeastern states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya, the Brahmaputra River provides a lifeline. In these states, the river is vital for industrial use, drinking water, and irrigation.
- For example, Assam’s tea industry, which is among the biggest globally, flourishes because of the river’s excellent environment.
- The river is essential to India’s food security because agriculture in these areas depend on its seasonal flooding. Any interruption in the flow of water could have a negative effect on agricultural output.
Hydropower Generation
- Arunachal Pradesh, which has enormous potential for large-scale energy generation, is the focus of India’s hydroelectric projects on the Brahmaputra River.
- The Brahmaputra basin is home to several hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh, including Lower Subansiri, Dibang, Kameng, and Ranganadi.
- With 2,000 MW of electricity produced by the Subansiri Hydroelectric Project alone, India’s expanding energy needs will be met.
Ecological and Biodiversity Significance
- Important national parks and animal sanctuaries, such as Kaziranga and Manas, are located in the valleys of the Brahmaputra River.
- Deciduous forests predominate in the Brahmaputra valley and the low hills that surround it.
- The largest river island in the world, Majuli, is situated in Assam’s Brahmaputra.
- The dynamic flow of the Brahmaputra produces a mosaic of grasslands, oxbow lakes, and wetlands that are vital for aquatic life, including the endangered Gangetic river dolphin, and migrating birds.
Strategic Importance
- Since it crosses international borders, the Brahmaputra River is strategically significant to both China and India.
- Because of its location, the river is given more significance in the larger geopolitical conflict between the two countries.
- Thus, in addition to its environmental importance, the Brahmaputra has strategic significance as a potent tool for influencing military, diplomatic, and regional security policy as well as India-China ties.
- The Brahmaputra’s source, the Tibetan Plateau, is being affected by climate change, which adds another level of strategic tension to India-China relations.
Transportation and Connectivity
- Particularly in the isolated regions of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the Brahmaputra is an important waterway that facilitates trade and commerce in northeastern India.
- It reduces traffic and promotes regional connectivity by offering an alternative to vehicle transportation.
- Additionally, the government has been improving India’s inland water transportation infrastructure by building the National Waterway 2, which links the Brahmaputra from Dhubri to Sadiya.

How might India be affected by China’s Hydropower Project?

Environmental Risks and Disruption of Ecosystems
- It poses a risk of changing the Brahmaputra’s organic flow. Precipitation, snowfall, and glacier melt in Tibet are already thought to contribute between 25% and 35% of the Siang River’s water.
- Furthermore, the development of cascade reservoirs may disturb fisheries and aquatic ecosystems in the Brahmaputra River basin, which sustains millions of people in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
- Even though the project is being described as a “run-of-the-river” initiative, changes in water flow and sedimentation downstream are anticipated to negatively impact the ecology.
- For example, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam have all been impacted by China’s development of a series of smaller hydropower projects on the Mekong.
- Additionally, an upstream landslide break in Tibet was the cause of the 2000 Siang flood in Arunachal, underscoring the region’s fragility.
Geological and Seismic Risks
- Seismic Zone V (very high risk) is where China’s project is being constructed.
- There are worries about earthquake-induced floods while reservoirs and tunnels are being built in this vulnerable, seismically active area.
- If building is not carefully handled, the Medog Fault and the Himalayan Frontal Thrust pose serious geological concerns that could result in catastrophes.
- There is limited opportunity for error in the engineering process due to past shortcomings in Chinese construction quality (such as the Neelum-Jhelum project in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir).
Economic Impacts on India’s Hydro-Energy Sector
- India will have to rely more on alternate energy sources to meet its future energy needs as a result of the two nations’ competition for water resources, which will limit its capacity to use the river’s hydroelectric power.
- India is thinking of developing the Upper Siang Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh, which will produce 11,000 MW, in response to China’s Medog Dam project.
- A hydrological arms race is sparked by the increasing rivalry over the hazards of dam construction, which could jeopardize regional stability.
- Local opposition to this proposal further emphasizes the difficult balancing act between community interests, environmental concerns, and energy demands.
Displacement and Internal Security Threat
- Large-scale relocation throughout Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and perhaps downstream areas of Bangladesh could result from the dam’s ability to drastically change floodplains and riverine ecosystems.
- Since more than 40% of Majuli Island’s landmass has already been degraded, any regional deterioration is probably going to increase displacement and worsen socioeconomic vulnerabilities.
- Flooding in Bangladesh may also lead to cross-border migration into India, which would put strain on border areas and possibly lead to problems with internal security.
- In addition, protracted water scarcity or heightened flooding may lead to internal instability in India’s northeastern states.
Potential Halt to Diplomatic Revival and Confidence-Building Efforts
- Aggressive hydropower development scuttles recent efforts to restore people-to-people interaction and mutual confidence.
- During an unstable diplomatic thaw, projects close to contentious territory send the wrong message.
- Discussions over restarting the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have recently begun between China and India. If public and political trust is further damaged by water issues, such endeavors may come to a standstill.

What Steps Can India Take to Protect Its Brahmaputra Basin Interests?

Strengthening the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC)
- China might be added to the JRC, which presently helps India and Bangladesh negotiate river-related issues. This would guarantee that all riparian nations are consulted on major infrastructure projects like dams.
- The Ganges Water Agreement between India and Bangladesh serves as an illustration of how intergovernmental cooperation can be formalized for the purpose of sharing water resources.
- By extending these guidelines to China, the dangers associated with unilateral moves may be reduced.
- India and China might work together to develop a cooperative framework for the Brahmaputra Basin by looking into models such to the Indus Water Treaty.
Enhance Domestic Preparedness to Mitigate Risks
- India needs to make investments in cutting-edge hydrological research and monitoring infrastructure along the Brahmaputra to improve its ability to evaluate downstream water flow, sedimentation patterns, and environmental effects.
- Technologies like real-time monitoring, remote sensing, and satellite surveillance can help with this.
- As an example of comparable infrastructure on the Brahmaputra, Uttarakhand’s Tehri Dam on the Bhagirathi River efficiently controls flooding and supplies water.
- Additionally, two connections between the Brahmaputra and its tributaries and the Ganga basin have been suggested by the National Water Development Authority. This will allow excess water to be transferred to areas that are experiencing water scarcity.
Strategic River Infrastructure as Deterrence
- India can exhibit first-use riparian rights and strategic readiness by completing and choosing prioritizing downstream infrastructure, such as reservoirs and barrages.
- These initiatives can act as legitimate signaling in response to unilateral upstream measures without necessarily being offensive.
- This improves India’s bargaining stance without going to war.
- India may use these projects in the Upper Siang and Dibang Valley as part of its plan to develop “hydro-strategic leverage.”
Deepening Technical Cooperation with Downstream Neighbours
- India can collaborate with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and possibly Nepal on emergency coordination procedures, seasonal hydrological forecasting, and flood modeling.
- A cohesive lower riparian bloc can strengthen South Asian hydro-solidarity and increase their combined diplomatic clout. Goals for regional climate resilience are also supported.
Engage with Environmental NGOs
- It would be possible to raise awareness of India’s concerns by collaborating with NGOs that address transboundary rivers. These groups have the ability to advocate in international for sustainable water management techniques.
- Wetland International and International Rivers have been effective in their efforts to promote ecological planning for the entire basin and prudent dam construction.
- By joining these organizations, India may advocate for a rules-based river governance paradigm and raise its voice against projects that harm the environment.
Building Long-Term Water Resilience
- India has to diversify its water supplies in addition to taking diplomatic and strategic actions to lessen its reliance on transboundary rivers like the Brahmaputra.
- A multi-source approach to water security is enhanced by alternative water sources such as underground water storage, desalination, and rainwater harvesting, which increase a country’s resistance to external hydrological shocks.
- The impact of water shortages will be lessened in the northeastern states by the development of effective irrigation systems.
- Israel’s desalination facilities and water conservation strategies might be used as models for India to investigate other approaches, particularly in areas with limited water resources.

Conclusion

The Brahmaputra River stands as a critical lifeline for India’s northeastern states, supporting agriculture, energy, biodiversity, and strategic interests. China’s proposed hydroelectric project near the Indian border raises significant concerns about downstream impacts, ecological disruption, and regional stability. India must bolster international cooperation, enhance domestic preparedness, and pursue sustainable water management strategies to safeguard its vital Brahmaputra Basin interests amidst escalating geopolitical tensions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is the Brahmaputra River a source of tension between India and China?
The Brahmaputra, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in China, is a major transboundary river that originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows through India and Bangladesh. The tension stems from China’s position as the upstream riparian state, giving it a geographical advantage.
What is China’s mega-dam project on the Brahmaputra River, and what are its potential impacts?
A hydroelectric project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet’s Nyingchi area, near the Indian border, is China’s mega-dam project. With a projected cost of $167.8 billion, the project officially began building in July 2025 with the goal of producing a significant amount of electricity.
Is there a water-sharing treaty between India and China for the Brahmaputra River?
No, China and India do not have a formal, legally enforceable agreement regarding the sharing of water for the Brahmaputra River or any other transboundary rivers. Instead, a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and an Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) have served as the foundation for collaboration in exchanging hydrological data, especially during the flood season.
How much does China’s contribution to the Brahmaputra River water flow actually affect India?
Although a large section of the river’s basin is under Chinese control, many experts think that the majority of the Brahmaputra River water flow is produced once it enters India, particularly during the monsoon season. Tributaries from Bhutan and India, as well as local rainfall, significantly increase the river’s flow. However, China’s contribution is greater during the lean, non-monsoon months, and India’s main concern is the possibility of manipulation during this time.

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