Beyond Borders, Beyond Conflict: Managing the Kabul-Indus for a Shared Future

For nearly three decades, the Kabul-Indus shared river basin has been a source of tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Straddling the border, the basin’s water sustains about 34 million people in urban and semi-urban areas. However, perceived inequalities in water allocation and the impacts of natural disasters have hampered cooperation in managing these vital resources. This pioneering study delves into the complexities of the Kabul Indus River basin, exploring potential opportunities for cooperation and threats of conflict by using the TWIN methodological framework. This study investigates the complexities surrounding the Kabul-Indus basin, employing a transboundary water interaction nexus framework, by analyzing documented reports of the events, official documents, media reports, newspaper articles, and student theses from 2000 to 2024. Recent trends in the Kabul Indus River Basin suggest increased potential for cooperation, particularly in areas of shared interest. By adapting UNECE 1992, 1997 International Water Conventions setting guidelines and principles, a potential path forward can be established for cooperative water management framework between the two countries. These conventions allow for multilateral, non-binding cooperation, even in the absence of a formal agreement. This study concludes that by exploring shared interests and leveraging these conventions, Pakistan and Afghanistan can move towards a more collaborative future in managing the Kabul-Indus River Basin. This collaboration is essential for ensuring the water security of both the nations.