M A I N   N E W S

India proposes water treaty as China goes on damming spree

New Delhi, February 10
Water is emerging as a new possible irritant between China and India, which has proposed a bilateral mechanism to deal with it.

India is pressing China to have either a water commission or a inter-governmental dialogue or a treaty to deal with water issues between the two countries. This comes in the wake of the Chinese move to approve construction of three more dams on the Brahmaputra in Tibet, in addition to the one being built without informing New Delhi.

Following the Chinese move, a high-level inter-ministerial committee, comprising officials from External Affairs Ministry, Defence Ministry, Department of Space, among others, met here to take stock of the situation and decided to take it up with China. The issue was once again taken up when a senior Chinese embassy official met MEA officials to give details on the construction proposal.

“Though the issue (of having a bilateral mechanism) has been part of our discussions earlier also, the recent move by Beijing has further pushed the matter. There is a need for some mechanism to deal with water issues between the two countries on the lines of what India has with other countries like Pakistan," sources said.

Recently, the Chinese Cabinet had approved a document which mentions construction of three dams at Dagu, Jiacha and Jiexu on the Brahmaputra.

Reacting to the Chinese move, the official spokesperson in MEA has said India carefully monitors all developments on the Brahmaputra.

“As a lower riparian state with considerable established user rights to the waters of the river, India has conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, including at the highest levels.” The official spokesperson stressed the need for China to ensure that the interests of downstream states are not harmed by any activities in the upstream areas. Maintaining that its move to build three more dams on the Brahmaputra in Tibet will not affect the flows to downstream areas, China has said it is in “communication and cooperation” with India over cross-border river issues.

“China has always taken a responsible attitude towards cross-border river development. China and India are maintaining communication and cooperation on the cross-border river issue,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters in Beijing.

However, Hua did not specify whether the two countries are in communication regarding the new dams which it proposes to build by 2015. — PTI

Water Sharing

• China recently approved construction of three more dams on the Brahmaputra in Tibet, in addition to the one being built without informing New Delhi
• Maintaining that its move will not affect water flows to downstream areas, it said it is in “communication and cooperation” with India over cross-border river issues
• India has the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan under which the two countries share information and cooperate on the matter
• The Ganges Treaty with Bangladesh establishes a 30-year water-sharing arrangement and recognises the neighbouring country's rights as a lower-level riparian