Uzbekistan plans to cooperate with Afghanistan on construction of Kushtepa canal

Afghanistan has expressed its readiness to implement the Kushtepa canal construction project from the Amu Darya River on the basis of mutual understanding with Uzbekistan. Acting Deputy Prime Minister of the Interim Government of Afghanistan Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said.

"The Uzbek delegation added that Uzbekistan is ready to cooperate with the Islamic Emirate in completing the Kushtepa canal project by obtaining the right to water from the Amu Darya River in accordance with international norms and fully considering privileges and rights," Abdul Ghani Baradar said in his tweet.

He also said that Uzbekistan has expressed its willingness to work with Afghanistan's technical teams to improve the efficiency of the Kushtepa Canal project along with other infrastructure projects.

For reference. Construction of Kushtepa canal, which will cost $684 million, started in March 2022. It will be 285 kilometres long. The water intake will be on the left bank of the Amu Darya River in Kaldar County, Balkh Province. The canal is designed to irrigate 550 thousand hectares of land in three Afghan provinces: Balkh, Jawzjan and Faryab.