“China’s Mega Dam is a Water Bomb”, said Arunachal CM Pema Khandu
- luken 12
- Jul 14
- 2 min read
“China’s Mega Dam is a Water Bomb”: Arunachal CM Pema Khandu in Hard-Hitting PTI Interview
In an exclusive and candid interview with Press Trust of India (PTI) CEO and Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu raised serious concerns over China's proposed construction of a massive hydropower dam near the Arunachal border. Describing it as a potential “water bomb”, Khandu warned that the project poses a serious threat to the ecological and strategic stability of India’s Northeastern region.
The proposed dam, part of Beijing’s broader hydropower ambitions on the Yarlung Tsangpo (known as the Brahmaputra in India), has sparked widespread apprehension across the region. Khandu cautioned that unilateral moves by China to control river flow could result in devastating downstream effects for millions living in the Northeast, especially in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Touching on the sensitive issue of the Dalai Lama's succession, Khandu firmly rejected China’s claim to select the next Dalai Lama, stating that Beijing holds no legitimate authority in spiritual matters that have deep roots in Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
"Arunachal Pradesh shares its border with Tibet—not China," he asserted, emphasizing the long-standing cultural, spiritual, and historical bonds between the people of Arunachal Pradesh and the Tibetan community.
The Chief Minister's strong statements come at a time when India-China relations remain tense, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). His interview has received nationwide attention, bringing to the forefront critical issues of water
security, cultural sovereignty, and geopolitical strategy in India's eastern frontier.
The comments not only underscore the strategic sensitivity of Arunachal Pradesh but also reflect the increasing concern among Indian policymakers about China’s infrastructure buildup near contested borders.
Credit: PTI
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