Consider lower riparian states, India tells China

India on Thursday asked China to keep the interests of the lower riparian states in mind before undertaking any activity on the Yarlang-Zangbo river, which is the Chinese portion of the Brahmaputra river.

“India urges China to ensure that the interests of downstream states are not harmed by activities in the upstream areas,” said Syed Akbaruddin, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson.

He was speaking on media reports from Beijing which claimed that the Chinese Cabinet had recently approved a document, which spelt out Beijing’s plan to construct three dams at Dagu, Jiacha and Jiexu on the Brahmaputra. The document listed a series of projects which China wanted to complete in its 12th year plan.

The spokesperson refused to answer to specific questions on the dams. Construction of dams in the upper reaches of Brahmaputra has been a contentious issue between the two countries since long.