China reiterated plans for a $137 billion dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, assuring no negative impacts on India and Bangladesh, while India raised concerns about downstream effects and urged transparency.

China has reaffirmed its plans to construct the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, near the Indian border. Despite concerns from India and Bangladesh, China insists the dam will not harm downstream countries.

China defended the planned project over the Brahmaputra River and claimed Beijing has gone through rigorous scientific verification and will not have any negative impact on downstream countries -- India and Bangladesh.

India's foreign ministry said on Friday that New Delhi has conveyed its concerns to Beijing about China's plan to build a hydropower dam in Tibet on the Yarlung Zangbo river which flows into India. Ch

Beijing has approved plans to dam a gorge in the Himalayas that is three times as deep as the Grand Canyon, despite concerns about the impact on Tibet and India.

India said on Friday (Jan 3) it had raised concerns with China about a planned mega hydropower dam construction upstream in Tibet, saying it will "monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests".

China has assured India that the construction of a mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet will not harm the lower riparian states. The project aims to develop clean energy and has been studied for decades to ensure environmental safety.

The Brahmaputra River, a lifeline to millions in India and Bangladesh, now finds itself at the centre of a major geopolitical storm. On December 25, China approved the construction of the world's largest hydropower project on this river—known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet.