China’s Six Brahmaputra Dams Could Endanger India; GD Bakshi Backs Siang and Subansiri Projects

GD Bakshi warns that China’s plan to build six hydel projects on the Yarlung Tsangpo/Brahmaputra in Tibet could give Beijing leverage over downstream water flows into India. He says only 14% of the Brahmaputra’s water originates in Tibet, but it is crucial during lean seasons, and China’s reluctance to share hydrological data could trigger sudden releases and Nepal-like flash floods in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

He argues India must urgently build the Upper Subansiri and Siang projects—generating about 12,800 MW and creating pondage to absorb unannounced Chinese water releases. Bakshi also links the projects to clean energy, AI data centres, local jobs, and prosperity, urging the government to transparently reassure Arunachal residents and citing Bhutan’s hydropower partnership with India as a model.