In a statement that is likely to come as a relief to India,China has ruled out any move to divert water from its side of the Brahmaputra river,citing possible impact on state-to-state relations. The Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) river flows across Chinas Qingai Tibet Plateau. Many Chinese citizens have been calling for greater usage of this river. However,considering the technical difficulties,the actual need of diversion,and the possible impact on the environment and state-to-state relations,the Chinese government has no plans to conduct any diversification project in this river, Jiao Yong,the Chinese Vice Minister for Water Resources,told reporters in response to a query during a press conference in Beijing yesterday. The statement holds significance as India has been wary of Chinese hydro power projects on its side of the river. Indias concerns increased as China formally started construction of the Zangmu hydro-power dam on the Brahmaputra in November last year. The 510 MW Zangmu Power Station,estimated to cost about 7.9 billion yuan,is being built about 540 km upstream from the Indian entry point. The project envisages construction of six power generating units,with 85 MW installed capacity each. The first unit is slated to be commissioned by 2014. New Delhis apprehensions also arise from the fact that there is no treaty between the two countries on the sharing of trans-border rivers,despite the fact that both sides have been sharing flood season data through an agreement for this specific purpose. The Chinese Vice Ministers statement also holds significance as Beijing has been cagey about categorically ruling out diversion plans,maintaining that the Zangmu project was a run-off-the river project and would not harm the interests of Delhi.
