India's foreign ministry said on Friday that New Delhi has conveyed its concerns to Beijing about China's plan to build a hydropower dam in Tibet on the Yarlung Zangbo river which flows into India.

India said on Friday (Jan 3) it had raised concerns with China about a planned mega hydropower dam construction upstream in Tibet, saying it will "monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests".

Sources said India was not informed by the Chinese side about the construction of the Brahmaputra dam project, which is the convention between the two countries, and learnt of it from media reports – the project is to cost an estimated $137 billion.

Beijing's approval of a controversial mega dam in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which flows from Tibet autonomous region into India, has sparked concerns about the environmental impact of the project,

India expressed concern over China's mega dam on the Brahmaputra and new counties in Ladakh, urging transparency and consultations with downstream nations.

India has urged the Chinese side to ensure that the downstream states of the Brahmaputra river are not harmed by activities in upstream areas, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

China approved the construction of what will be the world’s biggest hydropower dam on the eastern rim of the ecologically fragile Tibetan plateau

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday said that India has lodged protest with China through diplomatic channels over the establishment of two new counties in the Hotan Prefecture since parts of their jurisdiction fall in the Union Territory of Ladakh.