National: Assam CM Debunks Pakistan’s Brahmaputra Water Scare with Facts
Rebuttal to Pakistan’s Narrative
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has firmly countered Pakistan’s recent propaganda claiming China could halt Brahmaputra River water flow to India. In a detailed post on X on June 2, 2025, Sarma dismissed the narrative as baseless, emphasizing India’s hydrological independence. This response follows Pakistan’s reaction to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Brahmaputra’s Hydrological Strength
Sarma highlighted that only 30-35% of the Brahmaputra’s flow originates in China, primarily from glacial melt and limited Tibetan rainfall. The remaining 65-70% is generated within India, driven by monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya, and bolstered by tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, and Kopili. The river’s flow surges from 2,000–3,000 m³/s at the Indo-China border to 15,000–20,000 m³/s in Assam during monsoons.
Mitigating Flood Risks
The Chief Minister noted that even if China were to reduce water flow—an unlikely scenario given no official Chinese threats—it could benefit Assam by alleviating annual floods that displace millions. Sarma underscored that the Brahmaputra is a rain-fed Indian river system, not reliant on upstream sources. This resilience stems from India’s geography and monsoon patterns.
Pakistan’s Reaction to Treaty Suspension
Pakistan’s narrative emerged after India moved away from the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which Sarma criticized as having favored Pakistan for decades. He accused Pakistan of panicking as India reclaims its water sovereignty, using fear-mongering tactics to exaggerate China’s influence over the Brahmaputra. The Chief Minister stressed that the river’s flow is powered by India’s natural and civilizational resilience.
China’s Dam and Geopolitical Context
The controversy was sparked by Victor Zhikai Gao, Vice President of the Center for China and Globalization, who suggested China could control Brahmaputra water flow. This claim, amplified by Pakistani media, aligns with China’s plans for a massive hydroelectric dam in Tibet, raising concerns about regional water security. Sarma’s data-driven response aims to dispel fears and affirm India’s control over its water resources.