Gogoi calls for water sharing accord between India, China

Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday demanded that India enter into a water sharing agreement over the Brahmaputra river with China, so that Assam was not deprived of its share of the river water.

Gogoi raised the issue with Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui who visited Gogoi at his official residence in Guwahati late Sunday evening. Luo Zhaohui is on a three-day visit to Assam.

"The reports of China's proposed construction of big hydro power dams in the upper reaches of Brahmaputra river is a matter of concern to us. I have taken up the issue with the Chinese Ambassador. He said that there is no reason for apprehensions for Assam about the water flow," said Gogoi while addressing the media later.

"I told him that the flow of (water in) Assam should not be affected. I am also going to write to the Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs. There should be a water sharing agreement between the two countries which will ensure that there is no impact on flow of water," said Gogoi.

The former Chief Minister said that he also took up with the Chinese Ambassador the issue of Indian insurgents taking shelter in the neighbouring country.

"The Chinese Ambassador refuted the reports and said that China had not been giving shelter to any Indian insurgent outfits," Gogoi added.

--IANS

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