EAM should take up Brahmaputra issue with China

The Brahmaputra, which enters India from Tibet, is considered the lifeline of Assam.

New Delhi: Worried that any diversion of
Brahmaputra river by China could impact his state, Assam Chief
Minister Tarun Gogoi will meet External Affairs Minister S M
Krishna tomorrow to ask him to take up the issue with the
neighbouring country.

Gogoi, who raised the issue during a meeting with the
Planning Commission yesterday, said he was "very concerned"
about reports of the Chinese plan as any diversion in the
course of the river will affect Assam`s agricultural economy.

"We are very concerned as any diversion of the river
may affect my state. I will meet the External Affairs Minister
tomorrow as Government of India has to take up the issue with
China," Gogoi said addressing a press conference here.

The Chief Minister said the issue had come up earlier
also and he had taken up the issue then with the Prime
Minister.

"It is not a new issue. I had taken up the issue with
the Prime Minister and Water Resources Minister earlier also.
Chinese side had said that it will not affect downstream areas
of Assam...But situation keep changing and we have to be
careful," Gogoi said.

Termining it as a major issue for his state, he said
"I am confident that Government of India will take appropriate
step to safeguard the interest of the country as well as
Assam."

Krishna on Monday had said his Ministry was seeking
more details from China on these reports.

The Brahmaputra, which enters India from Tibet, is
considered the lifeline of Assam.

PTI

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