China speeds up Mohmand Dam amid India-Pakistan water tensions

May 20, 2025 (MLN): In response to India’s recent threats to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, China has accelerated construction of the Mohmand Dam in Pakistan a major project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) amid growing tensions between the two nations over water-sharing issues.

According to the South China Morning Post, the project has reached an important stage with the start of concrete filling for the dam.

Initially planned for completion in 2026, the timeline has been advanced as Chinese authorities stress the dam’s significance for regional cooperation and strategic advantage.

The Mohmand Hydropower Project, developed by the state-owned China Energy Engineering Corporation since 2019, is intended for multiple uses, including flood control, irrigation, water supply, and electricity generation.

Upon completion, it will generate 800 MW of power and supply 300 million gallons of drinking water daily to Peshawar, a major city in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The acceleration follows India’s threats to suspend the World Bank-mediated Indus Waters Treaty, particularly after the Pahalgam incident, which has heightened tensions between the two countries.

China has reaffirmed its support for Pakistan’s strategic infrastructure projects in light of these developments.

China’s cooperation with Pakistan also includes other significant projects such as the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, often called Pakistan’s “Three Gorges Project,” highlighting the focus on large-scale water infrastructure in the China-Pakistan partnership.

The fast-tracked progress on projects like the Mohmand Dam illustrates the complex geopolitical landscape in South Asia, where water security is a key factor in regional rivalries.

China’s involvement in Pakistan’s infrastructure reflects its growing influence and marks a new phase in its strategic and economic relations in the region.

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