Arunachal CM: China not reliable; absence from UN Water Treaty raises trust concerns

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has voiced strong scepticism about China’s reliability, citing its historical actions, resource exploitation in Tibet and Ladakh, and the ecological threats posed by its mega-dam projects.
 

Speaking at a seminar on Environment and Security, attended by MP Tapir Gao and Penpa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, Khandu highlighted China's absence from the United Nations Water Treaty. He noted, “If China were a signatory, there wouldn’t be so much concern. But since they are not, we should be worried.”
 

CM Khandu reiterated Arunachal’s commitment to peace and non-violence but expressed doubts about China’s intentions.
 

“We always promote peace and believe in non-violence, but looking at past history, can we still rely on China?” Khandu questioned, emphasizing the critical need to address the situation in Tibet, given Arunachal Pradesh’s direct border with the region.
 

On China’s 60,000 MW hydropower project, the CM warned, “Hydro-power is one of the cleanest forms of energy, but there must be a limit. This scale will undoubtedly impact the ecosystem of the Brahmaputra or Siang River in Arunachal.”
 

Reiterating that the government aims to maintain a balance between India and China, CM Khandu however raised concerns that a 60MW dam in China will hamper the ecosystem of Brahmaputra river as well as the Siang river. 
 

The seminar saw participation from numerous Arunachal ministers and MLAs, showcasing a united front on these pressing issues of environmental and regional security.