New Delhi Voices Support for Afghanistan's River Management Plans, Raising Concerns in Islamabad

Amidst escalating tensions over shared water resources in the region, India has openly expressed its support for Afghanistan's decision to construct a dam on the Kunar River, which flows into Pakistan. This endorsement comes at a time when Pakistan is already facing significant water security challenges, exacerbated by India's recent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

An Indian official stated that India stands ready to assist Afghanistan in sustainable water management, including hydroelectric projects, pointing to a history of cooperation between the two nations on such issues. The official highlighted the Salma Dam in Herat province as a successful example of this partnership. This dam, also known as the Afghan-India Friendship Dam, was completed in 2016 with Indian funding and has significantly boosted Afghanistan's power generation and irrigation capabilities.

Afghanistan's announcement of the Kunar River dam project has sparked considerable anxiety in Pakistan, which fears a restriction on the flow of water into its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Kunar River, known as the Chitral River in Pakistan, originates in the Hindu Kush mountains and is a crucial water source for the country.

The decision to proceed with the dam construction was reportedly made by Afghanistan's supreme leader, Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, with instructions to expedite the project and finalize contracts with domestic firms. This move underscores Afghanistan's determination to manage its water resources independently, even in the face of potential objections from its neighbor.

India's support for Afghanistan's water projects is viewed by some as a strategic move, leveraging water as a geopolitical tool in the region. By aligning with Afghanistan on river projects, India is seen as exploiting Pakistan's water dependency while simultaneously strengthening ties with Kabul.

Pakistan is already grappling with concerns arising from India's decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following a recent terror attack. The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, is a crucial agreement for managing the water resources of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan.

The Indian official further commented on Pakistan's reaction, stating that Pakistan seems infuriated by Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories and that it finds cross-border terrorism unacceptable. India has also rejected statements made by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the OIC has no locus standi on matters internal to India.

The construction of the Kunar River dam is expected to further strain relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have already been tense due to border disputes and allegations of cross-border terrorism. With both India and Afghanistan taking steps that could potentially reduce Pakistan's access to vital water resources, the region faces a complex and challenging geopolitical landscape. The situation highlights the critical importance of sustainable water management and cooperation in South Asia to ensure regional stability and prevent further conflicts.