China Is Not Constructing Dam Over Brahmaputra, Says Manmohan Singh

20-10.2009
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu said on Tuesday that China has clarified formally that it is not constructing dam across Brahmaputra.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had held talks with legislators and MPs from the Arunachal Pradesh led by Dorjee Khandu in New Delhi on Monday.

"The prime minister assured us that there was no dam being constructed over the Brahmaputra by China. In fact, Beijing had formally communicated this to the Indian government," Khandu told.

The whole issue started with media reports claiming that was constructing a $167 million hydropower plant in Zangmu over Brahmaputra, which had raised concerns for Arunachal Pradesh.

"We are happy with the prime minister's assurance," the chief minister said. Assam ad Arunachal had expressed concerns related to natural disaster because of the development of dam.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is slated to meet Manmohan Singh on Tuesday to talk regarding the same.

There were reports claiming that China had protested the visit of Manmohan Singh to Arunachal Pradesh.

"Chinese claims are simply unfounded and baseless. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and the prime minister said categorically that this is New Delhi's stand," Khandu said.

Beijing in 2003 gave up its territorial claim over Sikkim but still says that nearly all of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to it.