India must lead global efforts to protect Asia’s water security: Khandu

Guwahati, Jan 24: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has called for decisive action to address China’s unilateral control over transboundary rivers, warning of grave risks to water security and livelihoods in South Asia.

Speaking at the seminar ‘Environment and Security’ in Itanagar, Khandu emphasized the urgency of cooperative governance over shared river systems, particularly in light of China’s planned mega-dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river.

The Yarlung Tsangpo, which flows into Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang and becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam before reaching Bangladesh, is a lifeline for millions.

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Khandu highlighted how China’s project to construct the world’s largest hydropower dam could drastically disrupt this critical water source.

“The dam will give China control over the timing and volume of water flowing downstream, posing risks of water shortages during winters and catastrophic floods during monsoons,” he said.

The Chief Minister expressed particular concern over the potential ecological and agricultural impacts, noting that altered sediment flow could deprive farmlands in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam of vital nutrients, undermining livelihoods and food security.

Khandu expanded the conversation to the broader implications of Tibet’s environmental health, describing the Tibetan Plateau as the “Water Tower of Asia” that sustains over a billion people. “All major rivers of India originate from Tibet, and its ecological stability is crucial for the entire region,” he stated, urging India to play a leading role in advocating for responsible management of Asia’s water resources.

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The seminar, organized by the Tibet Support Group of Arunachal Pradesh and the Core Group for Tibetan Cause, focused on the environmental challenges in Tibet and their impact on South Asia’s security. Khandu praised the initiative and expressed hope for solutions to address China’s selective sharing of hydrological data and refusal to enter binding international water treaties.

The discussions underscored the need for India to engage diplomatically and strengthen regional cooperation to ensure fair governance of transboundary rivers. Participants, including Tibetan leader Sikyong Penpa Tsering and other notable figures, emphasized that securing the ecological health of Tibet and shared river systems is essential to safeguarding millions of lives in India, Bangladesh, and beyond.

Khandu also reflected on the deep cultural ties between India and Tibet, rooted in centuries-old Buddhist connections, as a reminder of the shared heritage that underpins this critical issue.

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