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PC: India Today

Context

Recent developments have refocused attention on Pakistan's Mohmand Dam project, underlining its growing significance amid rising India-Pakistan tensions. With China hastening construction, the dam has become a key nexus of geopolitical, economic, and environmental concerns.

Mohmand Dam Project

• The Mohmand Dam is located along the Swat River in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It will stand 213 metres tall and hold 1.239 million acre-feet.
• The project intends to reduce flood risk, irrigate agricultural land, create hydropower, and enhance local socioeconomic conditions. Construction began in 2019, with an anticipated completion date of December 2025.

Significance in Pakistan

The dam is estimated to produce 2,862 gigawatt hours of energy annually. In addition, it will provide Peshawar with 300 million gallons of drinking water every day. Given India's recent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the project's importance has increased. The pact oversees water distribution between the two countries, with Pakistan primarily reliant on the Indus River system for its water supply.

Geopolitical Significance

• India's status as the upper riparian state under the Indus Waters Treaty creates a complicated dynamic. While India cannot immediately suspend water delivery to Pakistan, its recent measures underline the vulnerability of the country's water resources. 
• The Mohmand Dam could serve as a buffer against potential water shortages caused by geopolitical conflicts.
• China plays a significant role in the Mohmand Dam project as part of its larger Belt and Road Initiative. Chinese financing supports various infrastructure projects in Pakistan, which strengthens bilateral connections. 
• China's involvement is strategic, intended to offset Indian influence in the region. The dam is one of several projects that demonstrate China's steadfast loyalty to Pakistan in the face of numerous hurdles.

Source: Indian Express