ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the water-based relations between the several riparians of the Kabul River Basin in order to answer the question of how power and institutions influence international relations between the two countries and how they obstruct or contribute to achieve inclusive and sustainable development. The water experts and diplomats in Pakistan are of the opinion that new hydro-power generation and irrigation infrastructure projects would significantly affect the water-related infrastructure and economy of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The river remains as the Kabul River predominantly for historical and political reasons although the Kunar River contributes more water than the Kabul. The Kabul River and all its tributaries collect water from their catchment areas through rainfall, snow melt and glacial melt. Donors have initiated various capacity building programmes to train Afghan officials in transboundary water management and in strengthening transboundary water institutions.
