Title: “Pak threat of China blocking Brahmaputra water a myth,” says Assam CM, gives reason
The recent statement by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sent shockwaves across the nation, as he categorically denied the threat of China blocking Brahmaputra river’s water flow to India. The Chief Minister’s assertion was made in response to the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan over the Indus Treaty, which has been suspended by Pakistan. In a tweet, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Pakistan is spinning a “manufactured threat” that China could stop Brahmaputra river’s water flow to India.
For a long time, there has been a lingering concern among the people of Assam, particularly the farmers and the fishermen, about the threat of China blocking the flow of Brahmaputra river. The concern is rooted in the fact that the Brahmaputra river is a transboundary river, which originates from the Himalayas and flows through China, India, and Bangladesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The river is an essential source of water for agriculture, drinking, and other domestic purposes in Assam and other parts of the country.
However, the Assam Chief Minister has given a robust reply to the concerns, stating that the Brahmaputra river grows in India, not shrinks. According to Himanta Biswa Sarma, China contributes only around 30-35% of Brahmaputra’s total flow, while the remaining 65-70% is generated within India. This means that even if China were to stop the flow of Brahmaputra river, India would still have a significant amount of water from its own sources.
In his tweet, Himanta Biswa Sarma also highlighted the fact that the Brahmaputra river is a rain-fed system, which means that its flow is directly dependent on rainfall and snowmelt in the Himalayas. He stated that the river’s flow is not dependent on any single source, including China.
The Assam Chief Minister’s statement has been widely welcomed by the people of Assam and other parts of the country. Many have expressed relief and gratitude towards Himanta Biswa Sarma for dispelling the myth and providing clarity on the issue.
The concerns about China blocking Brahmaputra river’s water flow were first raised after Pakistan suspended the Indus Treaty, under which India and Pakistan have been sharing the waters of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers. The treaty was signed in 1960 and has been a cornerstone of the bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.
The suspension of the Indus Treaty has raised concerns about the potential consequences for the water flows in the region. Pakistan has been accusing India of not complying with the treaty and has threatened to take action if India does not meet its obligations.
However, the Assam Chief Minister’s statement has brought some relief to the people of Assam and other parts of the country. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s assertion that China contributes only a small percentage of Brahmaputra river’s flow has gone a long way in dispelling the myth about the threat of China blocking the river’s water flow.
In conclusion, the statement by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been a timely intervention in the ongoing debate about the threat of China blocking Brahmaputra river’s water flow. The Chief Minister’s assertion that China contributes only around 30-35% of Brahmaputra’s total flow and that the river is a rain-fed system has provided clarity on the issue and has brought relief to the people of Assam and other parts of the country.
Source: https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1929600503614230554
