India to China: Share Details of Your Upstream Water Projects

pradeep
Aug 7
2 min read

India has urged China to share technical details about projects being constructed on upstream sections of trans-border rivers, as the two countries held the 36th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in New Delhi.

Graphic about India asking China to share upstream water project details at WMCC meet, with India and China flags over a dammed river.

The talks also covered the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), boundary delimitation, border management and mechanisms for improving cooperation between the two countries.

India Pushes for Transparency on Upstream Projects

During the meeting, the Indian side called for an early meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism on trans-border rivers and stressed the importance of China sharing technical information about projects upstream.

The demand is significant because India has repeatedly raised concerns about Chinese infrastructure projects on rivers that eventually flow into Indian territory.

Focus on China’s Mega Brahmaputra Dam

A major concern is China’s massive hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo, the river that enters Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang and later becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam.

Hindustan Times reports that the project is estimated at around $137 billion and is expected to generate roughly three times as much energy as China’s Three Gorges Dam. Concerns have been raised about potential downstream environmental consequences for India and Bangladesh.

Peace Along LAC “Essential”

India also reiterated that maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border is essential for the broader development of India-China relations.

Both sides reviewed the situation along the LAC and agreed to continue using diplomatic and military channels to address outstanding issues and reduce the risk of misunderstandings or miscalculations.

Four-Year Military Standoff Ended in 2024

India-China relations deteriorated sharply after clashes and military tensions began in the Ladakh sector of the LAC in 2020.

After more than four years of the military standoff, the two sides reached an understanding in October 2024 on withdrawing frontline troops from remaining friction points. Since then, New Delhi and Beijing have taken several measures aimed at normalising relations.

Kailash Mansarovar, Flights Resume

Among the recent developments, the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage and direct flights between India and China have resumed, while India has also eased some visa restrictions for Chinese nationals.

However, unresolved issues remain, including border management, China's restrictions on exports of certain critical commodities and India's large trade deficit with China.