What is the mega Yarlung Tsangpo project planned by China? What does Beijing hope to accomplish by building the world’s largest hydropower dam, and how could India be impacted? Experts weigh in.

Chinese officials say that hydropower projects in Tibet will not have a major impact on the environment or on downstream water supplies.

The Brahmaputra River, a lifeline to millions in India and Bangladesh, now finds itself at the centre of a major geopolitical storm. On December 25, China approved the construction of the world's largest hydropower project on this river—known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet.

India has expressed concerns over China’s plan to build a mega dam on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet, emphasizing the need for transparency and consultation with downstream states. The project, estimated at USD 137 billion,

China announced that it is building the world's largest dam in Tibet - even larger than the Three Gorges Dam, which according to NASA, has slowed the Earth's rotation by 0.06 seconds. The new dam will be built on the Brahmaputra river.

India said on Friday (Jan 3) it had raised concerns with China about a planned mega hydropower dam construction upstream in Tibet, saying it will "monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests".

Beijing's approval of a controversial mega dam in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which flows from Tibet autonomous region into India, has sparked concerns about the environmental impact of the project,

India expressed concern over China's mega dam on the Brahmaputra and new counties in Ladakh, urging transparency and consultations with downstream nations.

India has urged the Chinese side to ensure that the downstream states of the Brahmaputra river are not harmed by activities in upstream areas, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.