India depends on Pakistan for this crucial item used in 80 percent Indian homes, not rice or vegetables, it is….

The relations between India and Pakistan have always been tense and fragile, ever since the latter was carved out of undivided India by the British ahead of granting Independence to both India and the newly-created Pakistan in 1947. However, despite the multiple wars and Pakistan’s continued support to terrorist groups who carry out terror acts on Indian soil, trade between the two nations has never completely stopped, although it has dipped significantly since 2019.

If there is one key item for which India is completely dependent on Pakistan, its rock salt, a key ingredient used in religious ceremonies by Hindus. Rock salt or ‘Sendha namak’ as it is locally called, is a significant item in Hindu culture and traditions for a variety of reasons mentioned in Vedic scriptures.

Rock salt, which is also used in fasting during Navratri, is not found in India, and is completely imported from Pakistan, although in recent years, India has reduced its dependence on the neighboring country for the item.

What is rock salt?

Also called sandhav salt, Lahori salt, halite, pink salt and Himalayan salt – Rock salt is formed when salty sea water transforms into colorful crystals of sodium chloride. its also called Sendha namak, because it is found in the form of large rocks. Another story behind the name Sendha states it is so named because it is found near the Indus river.

A salt mine, the second largest in the world, in Khewra in Jhelum district of Pakistan’s Punjab province, produces a whopping 4.5 lakh tonnes of rock salt each year. Its also called Lahori salt or Himalayan salt because Lahore is the capital of Pakistan’s Punjab, and its located in in the Himalayas.

How much salt is imported by India?

According to some estimates. India imports roughly 99.7 percent of its total rock salt imports from Pakistan. The other minor imports of the item come from Iran, Malaysia, Germany, Afghanistan, Turkey and Australia.

However, in recent years, India has reduced its dependence on Pakistan for rock salt, largely due to rock salt processing and packaging units are in Kochi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Delhi, which according to estimates, fulfill around 80 percent rock salt requirements in Indian homes.

In Pakistan, due to its abundance, rock salt is sold at around Rs 2-3 per kg, whereas the rare salt sells for Rs 50-60/kg in India.