Araghchi hails IEA position on Iran’s water rights

KABUL (Pajhwok): Iranian Foreign Minister Sayed Abbas Araghchi has described his day-long visit to Afghanistan as productive, with discussions focusing on border security, water management and the situation of Afghan refugees.

During his trip on Sunday, Araghchi met high-ranking officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, including Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund, Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi and Defence Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid.

Speaking to reporters in Tehran, he billed the talks as highly constructive. He said: “The issue of water was a significant focus for us.

“The Afghan leadership reaffirmed their commitment to honouring Iran's water rights under the Helmand Treaty. They even expressed a noble sentiment that it would be their religious and humanitarian duty to provide water to Iran.”

Araghchi acknowledged that technical challenges remained in implementing water-sharing agreements and stressed the need for bilateral cooperation.

“Rainfall, drought and other factors also impact water availability. Addressing the technical aspects will require joint efforts,” he explained.

On border management, both sides underscored the importance of ensuring security along their common frontiers.

The Iranian minister also spoke about the increasing number of Afghan refugees in Iran, calling it a pressing issue:

“We discussed how to facilitate the dignified return of undocumented migrants to Afghanistan and ensure better living conditions for them in their homeland. While this is a long-term process that cannot be resolved overnight, both sides agreed on the importance of initiating this effort.”

Araghchi described his day-long trip to Kabul as fruitful, saying there was a better understanding and greater interaction between Kabul and Tehran, compared to the past.

kk/mud