Siang dam project deemed “strategic necessity” for India’s national security

Guwahati

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has stated that the 11.2 GW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh is not just an energy initiative but a “strategic necessity” for India’s national security. Positioned near the Line of Actual Control, the dam is intended to counter China’s nearby 60 GW Medog dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which poses a threat to India’s water and power security.

Rijiju highlighted the dual utility of the project—significantly enhancing power generation while providing flood-control benefits to Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bangladesh. He emphasized that launching the dam under international law would preempt China’s unilateral actions upstream.

The minister also addressed growing concerns from local indigenous groups, such as the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum, urging dialogue to dispel “misinformation” and ensure their cultural and livelihood interests are safeguarded. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prioritised hydropower investment in the region, underscoring its potential for job creation and economic expansion.

According to Rijiju, this project marks India’s largest hydropower venture and serves as a vital strategic counter to Chinese dam-building efforts upstream. He urged residents to keep an open mind and collaborate to achieve both community welfare and national interest.