Beijing: In the wake of India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, China has announced an expedited timeline for completing the Mohmand Dam project in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This move underscores the deepening strategic partnership between China and Pakistan, especially in the realm of water resource management and infrastructure development.
The Mohmand Dam, a significant hydroelectric project initiated in September 2019, is being constructed by the China Energy Engineering Corporation. Originally slated for completion next year, Chinese state media reports that the project will now be fast-tracked, with concrete filling already underway. Once operational, the dam is expected to generate 800 megawatts of electricity, supply 300 million gallons of drinking water daily to Peshawar, and support extensive irrigation needs.
India's decision to suspend the IWT—a treaty that has governed the use of the Indus River system between India and Pakistan since 1960—has raised concerns about regional water security. The treaty allocates the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers to Pakistan, which relies on them for approximately 80% of its irrigation and drinking water needs. India's move, described as a "short-term punitive action," included halting the flow of water on the Chenab River from the Baglihar Dam and conducting reservoir flushing without prior notification to Pakistan, actions that have been perceived as aggressive and unilateral.
The acceleration of the Mohmand Dam project coincides with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar's visit to Beijing, where he met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The timing suggests a coordinated response to India's actions, with China reaffirming its commitment to bolstering Pakistan's water infrastructure and energy security.
This development adds a new dimension to the already complex geopolitical landscape of South Asia, where water resources are becoming an increasingly contentious issue. India's suspension of the IWT and China's swift support for Pakistan's dam construction highlight the strategic use of water as a tool for political leverage and the potential for escalating tensions in the region.
As the situation evolves, the international community watches closely, aware that the management of transboundary water resources like the Indus River system is critical not only for regional stability but also for the livelihoods of millions who depend on these waters.