China Accelerates Mohmand Dam Project Amid India’s Indus Water Treaty Warning

In a significant strategic move, China has expedited the construction of the Mohmand Dam in Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, following India’s reported threat to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam incident. The decision marks a clear demonstration of China’s deepening support for Pakistan as regional tensions continue to rise.

The Mohmand Dam, a vital component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is being hailed as a flagship infrastructure project. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV recently reported that the project has entered a crucial phase, with concrete filling operations now underway—an important milestone that underscores the rapid pace of construction.

Originally launched in 2019 by the China Energy Engineering Corporation, the Mohmand Dam was slated for completion in 2026. However, geopolitical developments, especially the apparent breakdown of the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty by India, appear to have accelerated the project timeline.

A Multipurpose Lifeline for Pakistan

The Mohmand Hydropower Project is designed to deliver multiple benefits to Pakistan:

• Power generation of up to 800 megawatts

• Daily supply of 300 million gallons of potable water to the city of Peshawar

• Irrigation support for thousands of acres of farmland

• Flood control measures for regions vulnerable to seasonal monsoons

Once completed, the dam is expected to transform the local economy by improving energy access, supporting agriculture, and enhancing water security in a region where such resources are critically needed.

A Broader China-Pakistan Vision

China’s commitment to the Mohmand Dam is part of a wider bilateral strategy. The two nations are also collaborating on other mega-projects, including the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, often referred to as the “Three Gorges Project” of Pakistan due to its scale and ambition.

Beyond energy and infrastructure, the China-Pakistan partnership is expanding into areas such as agriculture, industrial development, and public welfare—further cementing Beijing’s role as Islamabad’s most crucial development partner.

Water as a Geopolitical Flashpoint

The fast-tracking of the Mohmand Dam underscores how water security is emerging as a key issue in South Asian geopolitics. With India’s warning on the Indus Waters Treaty raising alarms across the region, China’s swift action signals a calculated response to counterbalance New Delhi’s pressure tactics.

Analysts suggest that infrastructure projects like Mohmand are no longer just about development—they are becoming tools of strategic alignment and regional influence.

As the Mohmand Dam progresses ahead of schedule, it stands as a symbol of China-Pakistan solidarity and a reminder of the growing intersection between infrastructure and international diplomacy in a rapidly changing South Asia.