Source: TOI
Context:
India has expressed support for Afghanistan’s plan to construct a dam on the Kunar River, a move that could significantly affect water availability in Pakistan.
- Geopolitical Significance:
- Strengthens India-Afghanistan ties in the water and energy sector.
- Potentially intensifies Pakistan’s water scarcity, adding a new dimension to regional water geopolitics.
About Kunar River
- Other Name: Known as the Chitral River in Pakistan.
- Origin: Chiantar Glacier, near the Pakistan–Afghanistan border in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Length: Approximately 480 km.
Course & Flow
- Originates in Pakistan’s Chitral region.
- Enters Afghanistan through Kunar and Nangarhar provinces.
- Re-enters Pakistan to merge with the Kabul River near Attock.
Tributaries
- Major tributaries: Pech River and Lotkoh River.
Mouth
- Merges with Kabul River near Jalalabad (Afghanistan).
- Combined flow eventually joins the Indus River near Attock, Pakistan.
Key Features
- Transboundary River: Part of the Indus Basin system, shared by Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- Glacial Origin: Fed by snowmelt and glacial runoff, ensuring perennial flow.
- Strategic Importance: Vital for irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower in both countries.
