New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said the government is keeping a close watch on the activities by China on the Brahmputra river.
In a brief intervention in the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour, the Prime Minister said the issue of safeguarding India’s interest on the Brahmputra river has been repeatewdly discussed with the Chinese authorities including the Chinese Prime Minister.
Responding to the concerns by members about construction activity by China at Zangmu, on the main Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmputra) river in the Tibet autonomous region of China, the Prime Minister said, ”they (China) have assured us that nothing will be done to hurt India’s interests. The Ministry of External Affairs has also stated unambiguously that what is being built is a run-of-the-river Hydroelectric project, which does not store water and will not adversely impact the downstream areas in India.”
Assuring members that the government was keeping a watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s national interest, the Prime Minister said unnecessary confrontation on the issue could impact friendly relations with China.
”India and China are neighbours. It is in our best interests to have good relations with it, ”the Prime Minister said.
Earlier, Replying to a question by Ms Kusum Rai of the BJP, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said the government was keeping a close watch on developments.
He said that the government had raised this matter with the Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao during his visit to India in December, 2010.
”The Chinese Premier said that China’s development of upstream areas will be on the basis of scientific planning and study and will never harm downstream interests. The government has ascertained that this is a run-of-the-river Hydroelectric project, which does not store water and will not adversely impact the downstream areas in India, ”Dr Krishna said.
He said 80 per cent of the catchment area of Brahmputra is within Indian territory.
”It is important that the state of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam harness and utilise the waters of the Brahmputra,” he said. (UNI)