A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed for construction of the Lalandar [Shatoot] Dam in Afghanistan on 9 February 2021.
The MoU was inked by External Affairs Minister of India Dr Jaishankar and Foreign Minister Hanif Atmar in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Afghanistan Dr Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.
The project is a part of the New Development Partnership between India and Afghanistan. The Lalander (Shatoot) Dam will meet the safe drinking water needs of Kabul City, provide irrigation water to nearby areas, rehabilitate the existing irrigation and drainage network, aid in flood protection and management efforts in the area, and also provide electricity to the region.
This is the second major dam being built by India in Afghanistan, after the India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam (Salma Dam) which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister and the President in June 2016.
As part of the Development Cooperation with Afghanistan, India has completed over 400 projects covering all 34 provinces of Afghanistan.