The ruling Congress in Arunachal Pradesh has said that it was opposed to construction of a dam by China in the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River.
'India is planning to construct a multipurpose reservoir.' 'It will be a 10,000 MW hydropower project to offset the impact of the hydropower project by China.'
China has said the dam being built by it on river Brahmaputra will have no impact on the downstream flow of the river into India, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
China's parliament on Thursday adopted the 14th Five-Year Plan, the mega blueprint containing billions of dollars worth of projects, including the controversial hydropower project on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet close to the Arunachal Pradesh border over which India has raised concerns.
India will pay China over Rs 82 lakh annually for crucial flood data of the Brahmaputra to improve flood forecasting even as the two sides agreed to allow their water experts to conduct study tours on both sides of the river which originates in Tibet.
It is not clear yet what impact the blockade of the river will have on the flow of water from the Brahmaputra into the lower riparian countries like India and Bangladesh as a result.
The government on Monday said that it had ascertained that construction activity on Brahmaputra River inside Chinese territory would not adversely impact the downstream areas of India.
India's 'high-calibre satellite' imagery has not shown diversion of Brahmaputra waters by China, official sources said in New Delhi on Thursday responding to criticism that government was turning a 'Nelson's eye' to reports of massive construction plans by Chinese authorities.
The Standing Committee on Water Resources has recommended renegotiating the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan to address the impact of climate change on water availability in the river basin and other challenges which are not covered under the agreement.
However, Beijing expresses readiness for talks to reopen the Nathu La pass for the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra.