India prepares to challenge Xi Jinping’s largest dam in the world

The Chinese government, under Xi Jinping’s leadership, has authorized the building of the largest hydropower dam globally on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. The river flows into Arunachal Pradesh, where it is referred to as the Siang. Furthermore, it is referred to as the Brahmaputra in Assam and the Jamuna in Bangladesh. Once this dam is constructed on the Tibetan Plateau, it will affect millions in India and Bangladesh. It will also impact India’s national security and the environment. The dam might lead to rapid floods or a lack of water. Additionally, if a war were to occur, this could provide China with a substantial advantage.

Chowna Mein, the Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, stated that the Siang Dam will counter China’s large-scale project. This dam will be built for the sake of national security. Mein stated, “First, we will generate a pre-visibility report (PVR).” Should the project be advantageous, the dam will be built. “If that’s not the case, it won’t be constructed.”

The suggested ‘Siang Hydropower Project’ located in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh could produce 11,000 megawatts of power. The residents have strongly opposed the Siang Dam project. More than 350 people and groups have urged President Droupadi Murmu to recall the paramilitary forces deployed to Arunachal Pradesh for the dam survey.

Under the umbrella of the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), individuals from various villages are demonstrating against the dam. They contend that the initiative will uproot thousands and lead to considerable environmental harm. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cautioned that China’s proposal to construct a massive dam on the Brahmaputra may jeopardize the entire ecosystem reliant on the river, noting that India has already conveyed its apprehensions to Beijing.

When he was questioned regarding the dam’s effects on Assam and Arunachal Pradesh during a media session in Guwahati on New Year’s Day, Sarma stated, “This issue is already on our radar.” The Government of India has expressed its worries to the Chinese side already. I am confident that during the ongoing dialogue between India and China, the Indian side will certainly bring this up.