Rajnath writes to PM over China diverting Brahmaputra flow

Concerned over reports about China planning to divert the course of Brahmaputra, former BJP chief Rajnath Singh today demanded that India should enter into a pact with the neighbouring country on the issue as a change in the course of the river would inundate northeastern states.

Concerned over reports about China planning to divert the course of Brahmaputra, former BJP chief Rajnath Singh today demanded that India should enter into a pact with the neighbouring country on the issue as a change in the course of the river would inundate northeastern states.

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"I have written a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the wake of reports of course of Brahmaputra river being diverted by China and demanded appropriate steps in the matter. Nine dams were constructed and if the course of the river is diverted, it may inundate India's north-eastern states," Singh told reporters.

"Government should handle the issue diplomatically and ink an agreement with China over the Brahmaputra river in the same manner it had entered into a pact with Pakistan on the Sindhu river," he said.

The Centre should also send a delegation headed by any minister to get first hand information on reports of Brahmaputra river's flow being diverted by China.

Singh alleged that while China is posing challenges to the Indian Government on various fronts, the Centre is soft on the issue and is not able to handle the matter in a diplomatic manner.

He also demanded that the Centre take the international community into confidence to keep an eye over Pakistan Army and ISI on the issue of aiding and abetting terrorist elements.