China says dam on Brahmaputra not to affect river flow: Govt

New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) 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, Indian External
Affairs Minister S M Krishna told Rajya Sabha (Upper House of
Indian Parliament) on Thursday.
"It is a fact that when I met my Chinese counterpart
recently, the question of the hydel project over Brahmaputra
river being built by it in Zangmu did come up. However, the
Chinese foreign minister assured me that it is a small project
which will not have any impact on the river's downstream flow
into North-east India," he said during Question Hour.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the answer, opposition BJP
demanded a short term discussion on the issue. They were
joined by Birendra Prasad Baishya and Kumar Deepak Das (both
from Asom Gana Parishad party). Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh was also present in the House.
Das said the dam being built by China is not a small
project but a 450 MW hydro-electric project and sought to know
from Krishna the status of talks with China over trans-border
rivers like Brahmaputra.
To this the minister said, "with reference to trans-
border rivers, we have an expert level mechanism to address
the issue. A meeting of experts from both India and China is
scheduled to take place between April 26-29 in Delhi and the
issue will be discussed in it."
He, however, said that as regards China, "there are
concerns over the boundary question. It has been our policy
that a fair and mutually acceptable solution to this is
needed. Our special representative has held 13 meetings with
his Chinese counterpart on this and the 14th meeting is
scheduled soon".
Krishna said India-China relations are growing despite
these concerns.
To another question, he said "there is no disconnect
between India-China relations....A beginning was made when
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met his Chinese counterpart Wen
Jiabao in Copenhagen and a new beginning was made there when
both the nations stood together on common issues". PTI ASI
MYR