India must have water sharing agreement with China: Defence experts

New Delhi [India] October 31 (ANI): India should have water sharing agreement with China, said Indian defence experts on Tuesday.

The experts opine that China is eyeing to divert water from River Brahmaputra to its Xinjiang region since both the countries don't have any water sharing agreement.

Reportedly, China is testing techniques that could be used to build a 1,000km long tunnel-the world's longest-to divert water from the Brahmaputra in Tibet to the parched Xinjiang region in China.

Defence expert Uday Bhaskar said that Chinese efforts clearly violate international norms.

Talking to ANI, defence expert Uday Bhaskar said, "It's a very disturbing report that now China wants to embark on world's so called longest tunnel and divert water from Brahmaputra. India, China and Bangladesh don't have a joint treaty for the management of Brahmaputra, except the international norms that say if you are an upper riparian then you have to be very cognizant of the water sharing and how any project would affect lower riparian, in this case- India and Bangladesh. In the past, China has said that they are only doing permissible projects, but diverting water into a 1000 km tunnel is really a different project," Bhaskar said.

He further added that India along with Bangladesh will have to examine the degree to which this is not in compliance with either law or practice.

The defence expert expressed concern that if China diverts Brahmaputra water then it could have seismic impact.

"Some experts have suggested that this could heighten the possibility of an earthquake."

Another defence expert V Mahalingam also emphasise that India must have a water sharing agreement with China.

"China has been diverting waters to River Brahmaputra for their hydro electric projects. Unfortunately, India and China don't have a river water sharing agreement. It will not only affect India but Bangladesh besides other north eastern states. Water is going to be a very important resource in the future. This matter should be brought to the notice of the world bodies as the sufferers are going to be the common man. We need to have a comprehensive river water sharing agreement with China," Mahalingam said.

According to reports, China plans to divert water from the Yarlung Tsangpo river in southern Tibet, which turns into the Brahmaputra once it enters India.

China is also building various dams on the Brahmaputra and India has already raised concerns about it. China has told India and Bangladesh that dams are not designed to store water. (ANI)