Pakistan Warns of Security Risks from India-Taliban Dam Projects in Afghanistan
Pakistani officials have expressed serious concerns over India’s cooperation with the Taliban administration on water infrastructure projects in Afghanistan, warning that such collaboration poses a significant threat to Pakistan’s water security and vowing to resist it.
According to regional media reports, the Taliban, with financial and technical support from New Delhi, is planning to build a dam on the Kunar River, which flows into Pakistan. This project could reduce the natural flow of water into Pakistan and have a major impact on the country’s agricultural sector.
India Today has reported that India’s involvement goes beyond the Kunar project and includes several others such as Naghlu, Darunta, Shahtoot, Shah wa Aros, Gambiri, and Bagh Dara. These collaborations have raised political and security sensitivities since the Taliban lacks international legitimacy.
Islamabad has stated that this situation directly affects Pakistan’s access to the Kabul River, a vital resource for agricultural production in regions like Peshawar, Charsadda, and Nowshera. Pakistani experts note that the Kabul River annually supplies millions of acre-feet of water to Pakistan.
In response to what Pakistani authorities describe as an “India-Taliban destructive plan,” Islamabad is drafting a comprehensive defense strategy against water threats originating from Afghan territory. One component of this strategy involves diverting the flow of the Chitral River—before it crosses into Afghanistan—toward the Swat Valley.
Officials say this plan is not only important for water security but also economically significant. The project could generate over 2,000 megawatts of clean energy, expand arable land, and help prevent flooding.
Pakistan stressed that the measure aligns with international law and aims to safeguard the country’s legitimate water interests. However, analysts argue the development underscores growing mistrust between neighboring countries in the absence of a clear legal framework for managing transboundary waters.
