China Breaks Ground on World’s Largest Dam in Tibet, Raising Alarms in India and Bangladesh
China has officially started construction on what will become the world’s largest hydropower dam, the Motuo Hydropower Station, located on the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet’s remote Medog County. The $1.67 billion project, which surpasses the capacity of the iconic Three Gorges Dam, was launched in a ceremony presided over by Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Once completed, the dam is expected to generate up to three times more energy than its predecessor, signaling Beijing’s ambition to cement its dominance in renewable energy infrastructure.
The strategic location of the dam has triggered fresh concerns from neighboring India and Bangladesh, as the Yarlung Tsangpo flows into both countries as the Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers. Critics argue that China’s control over the upper reaches of this transboundary river system could be used as a geopolitical tool. A 2020 report by the Lowy Institute warned that such projects grant Beijing a powerful advantage over India’s water security and economy.
Local and national leaders in India, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, have raised strong objections. Chief Minister Pema Khandu described the project as an “existential threat” to local tribes, warning that sudden water releases could devastate entire communities, particularly the Adi tribe. India’s central government has responded by initiating its own hydropower project on the Siang River to mitigate potential risks from upstream water manipulation.
Bangladesh, which is also heavily reliant on the transboundary rivers, has formally requested detailed information from China regarding the dam’s construction and environmental impact. Earlier this year, Dhaka sent an official letter to Beijing seeking clarity, but no public response has been issued so far. Regional experts worry that a lack of transparency could escalate tensions and complicate already delicate diplomatic ties in South Asia.
Environmentalists and Tibetan rights groups have condemned the project, citing threats to the ecologically sensitive region and potential seismic risks due to the dam’s location near fault lines. Additionally, reports suggest that engineers plan to reroute the river through massive tunnels, altering its natural flow and further endangering biodiversity. While China frames the project as a carbon-reducing, development-focused initiative under its “xidiandongsong” (west-to-east electricity transfer) policy, critics argue that the environmental and geopolitical costs may outweigh the benefits.
Source: Arise