Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has strongly countered Pakistan’s attempts to instil fear regarding a potential halt of Brahmaputra River water flow from China into India. In a pointed response titled “What If China Stops Brahmaputra Water to India? A Response to Pakistan’s New Scare Narrative,” Sarma has moved to address rising anxieties with a fact-based rebuttal.
The Chief Minister’s statement comes amidst heightened tensions, particularly after India’s decisive shift away from the long-standing Indus Waters Treaty. Sarma has accused Pakistan of fabricating a new threat – the hypothetical scenario of China cutting off Brahmaputra waters – as it grapples with the geopolitical ramifications of India’s recalibration of its water management policies. “Let’s dismantle this myth—not with fear, but with facts and national clarity,” Sarma articulated in a detailed post aimed at public education and neutralising alarmist speculation.
Sarma’s detailed breakdown highlighted crucial facts, underscoring that China’s contribution to the Brahmaputra’s total water volume is limited to merely 30-35%, primarily stemming from glacial melt and rainfall in the Tibetan region. Crucially, he emphasised that a significant 65-70% of the river’s water is generated within Indian territory, fed by torrential monsoon rainfall and an extensive network of tributaries originating in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya.
The Chief Minister further clarified that the river swells substantially only after entering India. He pointed out that at the Tuting entry point from China, the flow stands at 2,000-3,000 cubic metres per second, which then multiplies to a monsoon-driven 15,000-20,000 cubic metres per second by the time it reaches Guwahati. Taking a direct jab at Pakistan, Sarma even suggested, “Even if China were to reduce water flow — an unlikely move, as China has never issued such a threat — it could actually help mitigate the devastating floods that displace lakhs in Assam every year.” He further criticised Pakistan’s historical advantage under the Indus Waters Treaty, remarking, “Pakistan — which has exploited 74 years of preferential water access — now panics as India rightfully reclaims its sovereign rights.”
Concluding on a note of national confidence, CM Sarma asserted, “The Brahmaputra is not controlled by a single source — it is powered by our geography, our monsoon, and our civilisational resilience.” This assertive declaration is designed not only to deflate Pakistan’s scare tactics but also to reassure Indian citizens about the resilience of the Brahmaputra basin and India’s inherent control over its water future.
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