China Warns India Over River Waters, But Brahmaputra's Flow Remains Firmly Backed by India's Monsoon Strength

Addressing the gathering, Gao stated that the Indus river system originates on the Tibetan Plateau and argued that China occupies the upstream position for several important rivers shared with neighbouring countries. Referring to the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, he said, "Don't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you," urging India not to use water resources as a geopolitical instrument.

The comments immediately drew attention because of the Brahmaputra River, the most significant river connecting China and India. China is currently constructing the world's largest hydroelectric dam on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, approximately 50 kilometres from the Indian border. The Yarlung Tsangpo originates in Tibet before entering Arunachal Pradesh, where it is known as the Siang River. As it flows into Assam, it becomes the Brahmaputra, a river that supports millions of people across northeastern India.

Although China's upstream position and large-scale dam construction have raised concerns, the river's hydrology and geography provide a different picture. While approximately 50.5 percent of the Brahmaputra's total length lies within China, river length does not determine total water volume. China contributes only about 30 to 35 percent of the Brahmaputra's total discharge, largely through glacial melt and limited precipitation across the Tibetan Plateau.

The majority of the river's water is generated after it enters India, where approximately 28.5 percent of the river's length flows. Nearly 65 to 70 percent of the Brahmaputra's total water volume is produced within Indian territory due to intense monsoon rainfall and numerous tributaries that significantly increase the river's discharge.

The contrast between the two regions is substantial. The Tibetan Plateau experiences relatively dry climatic conditions, while Arunachal Pradesh receives more than 2,500 to 3,000 millimetres of annual rainfall. This heavy precipitation continuously replenishes the river before it descends into the plains. Additional monsoon rainfall across Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya further increases water levels throughout the basin.

As the Brahmaputra flows through northeastern India, it is joined by several major tributaries, including the Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, and Kopili rivers. Significant runoff from the Khasi Hills, Garo Hills, and Jaintia Hills also feeds the basin through rivers such as the Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi, adding enormous volumes of water to the main channel.

The river's discharge demonstrates this transformation. At Tuting in Arunachal Pradesh, near the India-China border, the Brahmaputra records an estimated flow of approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cubic metres per second. By the time it reaches the plains near Guwahati during the monsoon season, the discharge expands dramatically to nearly 15,000 to 20,000 cubic metres per second. The sharp increase reflects the dominant contribution of Indian rainfall and domestic tributaries rather than glacial sources in Tibet.

Among the major contributors within India, the Subansiri River alone accounts for nearly 8 percent of the Brahmaputra's total water yield. Other significant tributaries include the Kameng, also known as the Jia-Bharali, the Dhansiri, the Kopili, the Manas, the Jaldhaka, the Torsa, and the Teesta, the largest river in North Bengal that originates in the Himalayas of North Sikkim.

China's upstream geographical position provides it with a strategic advantage, but the hydrological characteristics of the Brahmaputra indicate that stopping the river's flow into India is not practically possible. The overwhelming contribution from India's monsoon rainfall and the extensive network of tributaries ensures that the Brahmaputra remains one of the world's most powerful river systems, despite its origin on the Tibetan Plateau.