The files we follow: International drug trafficking, Geopolitics of transboundary water resources
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In October 2024, China confirmed plans to construct a monumental dam at the “Great Bend” of the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, near its contested border with India. This project, with an estimated production capacity of 60,000 MW, aligns with China’s strategic ambitions to enhance energy security and solidify influence over a crucial water resource area. With this dam, China gains significant control over water flow, a critical factor for downstream countries, particularly India and Bangladesh.
India swiftly expressed concerns over the potential impact on downstream water flow, crucial for irrigation and water supply in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Indian experts warn that China could manipulate Brahmaputra flows, affecting agriculture and increasing flood risks in Indian states. In response, New Delhi proposed its own 10,000 MW dam on the Siang River, a Brahmaputra tributary, to stabilize water resources and assert its regional presence.
Bangladesh, also heavily reliant on the Brahmaputra for agriculture and potable water, is alarmed by possible flow changes that could lead to severe flooding or drought, disrupting millions and threatening the river ecosystem. This mirrors the impact of Chinese dams on the Mekong, which has disrupted hydrological cycles across Southeast Asia.
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