Iran - Taliban Water Conflict | UPSC Notes | Testbook.com

The Water Conflict: Iran and Afghanistan

The Helmand River is a vital water source for both Iran and Afghanistan, fuelling agriculture, sustaining livelihoods, and nourishing the ecosystems in the region.

• Iran alleges that Afghanistan is not honouring its water rights, and receives considerably less water than what was agreed in the 1973 treaty. Afghanistan, however, blames the decreased water flow on environmental factors like insufficient rainfall.

Overview of Helmand River

Image source: www.memri.org

• Helmand River, Afghanistan’s longest river, spans approximately 1,150 kilometres (715 miles).
• It originates in the Sanglakh Range of the western Hindu Kush mountain range, near Kabul.
• It forms the main watershed for the Endorheic Sistan Basin.
• The river flows in a south-western direction through arid regions before it drains into Lake Hamun, situated on the Afghanistan-Iran border.
• Lake Hamun, the largest freshwater lake in Iran, is primarily fed by the Helmand River.
• The Helmand River is of immense importance to both Iran and Afghanistan as it supports agriculture, ecosystems, and livelihoods in the region.

The Water Dispute: Iran and Afghanistan (Taliban)

The 1973 Helmand River Treaty has been a point of contention as it has not been fully ratified or effectively enforced. The treaty was intended to regulate the distribution of river water between Iran and Afghanistan.

• Iran accuses Afghanistan of infringing upon its water rights, alleging that it receives significantly less water than what was agreed in the 1973 treaty.
• Afghanistan refutes Iran’s allegations, attributing the reduced water flow to environmental factors such as decreased rainfall and lower river water levels.
• Tehran is concerned about Afghanistan’s plans to construct irrigation systems, dams, and reservoirs along the Helmand River, which it believes could adversely affect the water flow into Iran.