• China has commenced construction of the world's largest hydropower dam, set to cost approximately $170 billion.
• The dam, located on the Yarlung Zangbo River, aims to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, dwarfing the Three Gorges Dam.
• Regional countries India and Bangladesh have expressed concerns regarding the dam's potential impact on their water supplies and ecosystems.
• The project is seen as a pivotal driver for both China's domestic energy goals and its geopolitical influence in South Asia.
• China insists the project will not adversely affect downstream countries while asserting its sovereign rights over the river.

China has officially begun construction on what is set to become the world’s largest hydropower dam, a project that highlights the nation's ambitions on the eastern rim of the Tibetan Plateau. This mega dam, located on the Yarlung Zangbo River, is expected to cost approximately $170 billion and will generate an estimated 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, a capacity three times greater than that of the existing Three Gorges Dam. The initiative, described by Premier Li Qiang as the "project of the century," aims to bolster China's renewable energy output and is seen as a critical element in achieving the country’s carbon neutrality targets by 2060, according to Dawn and Al Jazeera.

The project comprises five cascade hydropower stations designed to address China’s growing energy demands and could enhance regional power security. However, it has sparked fears in India and Bangladesh regarding potential disruptions to downstream water resources and ecosystems, which depend heavily on the Yarlung Zangbo River, known as the Brahmaputra in India. Concerns include possible reductions in river flow and sediment transport, key factors for agricultural vitality in floodplains, as emphasized by South China Morning Post and Newsweek.

Reactions from Indian officials have been heightened, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, where the Chief Minister referred to the dam as a potential "water bomb," warning that it could "dry up" much of the river, affecting millions who rely on its waters. China has countered these concerns, asserting that the dam project is within its sovereign rights and will not negatively impact its neighbors, as stated by Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry. He emphasized that China remains committed to international cooperation regarding hydrological information and flood management, according to Reuters and Anadolu Agency.

The construction of this massive infrastructure project is seen not only as a means of generating energy but also as a strategic move to enhance China's influence in South Asia. As the dam is positioned near the contentious borders with India, analysts speculate that it could compel neighboring countries towards greater economic dependence on China through electricity exports. This energy initiative coincides with a broader strategy to improve regional relationships and economic ties, which includes countries like Nepal and Bangladesh struggling with power shortages, as noted by South China Morning Post and South China Morning Post.