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Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma rubbishes Pakistan's warning that China may weaponise Brahmaputra
ET Bureau | June 4, 2025 6:20 AM CST

Synopsis

Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma refuted Pakistan's apprehension regarding China's potential control over the Brahmaputra River. Sarma clarified that China contributes only a portion of the river's flow. He highlighted that the majority originates within India. Sarma suggested that reduced flow from China could actually aid in managing Assam's annual floods.

Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati: Rubbishing Pakistan's scare narrative, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said if China were to reduce the flow of river Brahmaputra it would benefit the state and help it mitigate the devastating annual floods.

A senior aide to Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif, citing India's suspension of Indus Waters Treaty, cautioned that China might also weaponise the Brahmaputra waters in support of its "all-weather friend". Sarma stated on X, "What If China Stops Brahmaputra Water to India? A Response to Pakistan's New Scare Narrative. After India decisively moved away from the outdated Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is now spinning another manufactured threat..."

"Let's dismantle this myth - not with fear, but with facts and national clarity: Brahmaputra: A River That Grows in India - Not Shrinks," he said. "China contributes only 30-35% of the Brahmaputra's total flow - mostly through glacial melt and limited Tibetan rainfall. The remaining 65-70% is generated within India, thanks to: torrential monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya... tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili; additional inflows from the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills via rivers such as Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi."


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