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| India Offers to Help Afghan Taliban Build Dam / Photo File (Geo News) |
In a development with potential regional implications, India has offered assistance to the Afghan Taliban government in constructing a dam on the River Kunar, which originates from Pakistan’s Chitral region before flowing into Afghanistan and later merging with the Kabul River to return to Pakistan.
The offer comes days after the Taliban’s Supreme Leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, directed Afghanistan’s Ministry of Energy to begin immediate construction of a dam on the River Kunar. He reportedly instructed Afghan authorities to sign contracts with local companies rather than wait for international firms to participate.
Responding to media queries during a weekly press briefing, Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India is ready to support Afghanistan in developing hydroelectric projects. He cited previous cooperation between the two nations, highlighting the Salma Dam in Herat as a successful example of India-Afghanistan partnership in water management and infrastructure development.
In response, the Afghan Taliban welcomed India’s offer. Speaking to The Hindu, Taliban’s ambassador to Qatar Suhail Shaheen said there are “numerous opportunities for cooperation” between the two countries and expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral relations through development initiatives.
Analysts note that the move could further complicate regional water politics, as the River Kunar’s flow directly affects downstream regions in Pakistan. The dam’s construction may raise strategic and environmental concerns in Islamabad, given the river’s importance for water supply and agriculture in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The River Kunar travels approximately 482 kilometers, starting from Pakistan’s Chitral Valley, flowing through eastern Afghanistan, and eventually merging with the Kabul River, which re-enters Pakistan — a shared waterway that has long been a sensitive subject in regional geopolitics.
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