Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has strongly countered Pakistan’s recent warning that China could stop the flow of the Brahmaputra River to India. The claim came after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, prompting Pakistani leaders to say it could set a precedent for China to act similarly.
Reacting sharply, CM Sarma dismissed the warning as a baseless “scare tactic” and explained with facts that India is not dependent on China for the Brahmaputra’s water.
Background: Pakistan’s Claim
Rana Ihsaan Afzal, an aide to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, recently told Geo News that India suspending the IWT could push China to retaliate by blocking the Brahmaputra River.
“If India stops water to Pakistan, China could do the same to India. If this happens, the whole world could go to war,” Afzal warned.
The statement came after India decided to keep the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty on hold following the Pahalgam terror attack. Despite a brief understanding to ease tensions, India has continued with the suspension, drawing outrage from Pakistan, which called it an “act of war.”
Himanta’s Response: ‘Brahmaputra is India’s Strength’
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma responded firmly, calling Pakistan’s claim a “manufactured threat.”
“After India decisively moved away from the outdated Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is now spinning another manufactured threat: ‘What if China stops the Brahmaputra’s water to India?’” Sarma posted on X (formerly Twitter).
He went on to clarify that China contributes only 30–35% of the Brahmaputra’s water, mainly from glaciers and limited rainfall in Tibet. The remaining 65–70% is generated within India, thanks to:
Heavy monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya
Major tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, and Kopili
Additional inflows from the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills via rivers like Krishnai and Digaru
Key Hydrological Facts
Sarma emphasized that the river becomes stronger only after entering India. At the Indo-China border near Tuting, the river’s flow is around 2,000–3,000 cubic meters per second (m³/s). However, by the time it reaches Assam (e.g., Guwahati), the flow swells to 15,000–20,000 m³/s during the monsoon.
“China Blocking River Could Help Us”
Taking a surprising turn, Sarma said that even if China tried to reduce the flow (which it has never officially threatened), it could actually benefit Assam by helping control the devastating annual floods.
“Even if China were to reduce the flow, it may help India mitigate annual floods in Assam which displace lakhs and destroy livelihoods,” he noted.
Strong Message to Pakistan
Sarma accused Pakistan of exploiting the Indus Waters Treaty for 74 years while India respected it. He said the Brahmaputra River is not controlled by any single source but is powered by:
India’s geography
Monsoon rains
Strong internal water systems
“India is not vulnerable like Pakistan. Brahmaputra is not controlled by China. It is strengthened by India,” he said
