India offers help to Taliban for dam construction on Chitral's Kunar River
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India offers to help Taliban build a dam on Chitral’s Kunar River, signaling renewed engagement as both sides highlight opportunities for hydroelectric cooperation.
NEW DELHI (Web Desk) - India has offered assistance to the Afghan Taliban in constructing a dam on the Kunar River, which originates from Pakistan’s Chitral region.
Recently, Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban regime’s Supreme Leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada instructed the Ministry of Energy to begin the construction of a dam on the Kunar River as soon as possible.
According to Afghan media, Mullah Hibatullah directed authorities to sign contracts with domestic companies instead of waiting for foreign firms. However, India has now offered to support the Taliban in the dam project on the river that flows from Chitral.
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Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to a question during a press conference, said that India is ready to assist Afghanistan in developing hydroelectric projects. He added that both nations share a history of cooperation in water-related projects, citing the Salma Dam in Herat as an example.
Meanwhile, the Afghan Taliban welcomed India’s offer. Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban’s ambassador in Qatar, said that there are numerous opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
The Kunar River originates in Chitral, travels approximately 482 kilometers, and joins the Kabul River before re-entering Pakistan.
