India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate: Major Setback for Pakistan as Rock Salt Orders Cancelled, Ban Imposed on Multiple Imports
Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following a recent terrorist attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam region, where innocent civilians tragically lost their lives. In response to the growing unrest and cross-border hostilities, the Indian government has taken a firm stand by imposing a comprehensive ban on several imports from Pakistan—a move that is expected to have far-reaching economic implications.
One of the immediate and most significant consequences of this decision has been the cancellation of large-scale orders of rock salt, commonly known as Lahori salt, imported from Pakistan. In addition to rock salt, the ban has extended to several other popular items, including dry fruits such as dates, black raisins, figs, and sabja seeds, which are known for their health benefits like aiding digestion and supporting weight loss.
According to Ashok Lalwani, Minister of the Chamber of Food Processing Industries Association, a variety of goods such as Lahori salt, dates, black raisins, and sabja seeds were routinely imported from Pakistan. Many of these items—especially figs and raisins—entered India via transit routes through Afghanistan and Pakistan. These imports played a vital role in sustaining the local economy, particularly in districts with significant wholesale trade.
Data suggests that each month, approximately 250 to 300 tons of rock salt, 550 to 600 tons of dates, and around 15 tons of pistachios, black raisins, and sabja seeds were traded in the region. The sudden halt in imports has prompted traders to cancel all major orders of rock salt, and new contracts are currently on hold as the situation unfolds.
Pawandeep Kapoor, a member of the Agra Grocery Color and Chemical Committee, noted that Agra alone has around 30 wholesale dry fruit traders who rely heavily on imports through Pakistan and Afghanistan. The district boasts a monthly trade of about 25–30 tons of figs and 40–50 tons of raisins. With Pakistan no longer a viable trading partner, businesses will now need to reroute their imports through other countries, which will inevitably increase transportation costs and, in turn, lead to higher retail prices. Despite the financial impact, Kapoor emphasized that the business community stands united with the Indian government’s decision, putting national interest above commercial gain.
The effects of the import ban are not limited to the dry fruit sector. Agra Vyapar Mandal President TN Agarwal pointed out that the textile industry, particularly manufacturers of cotton garments, may also face disruptions. Pakistan has been a key supplier of raw cotton, which is widely used in the production of shirts, dhotis, undergarments, and women’s wear. With the demand for cotton clothing on the rise and strained relations with Bangladesh further complicating sourcing options, prices in this segment could also see an upward trend.
Rajiv Gupta, Minister of Agra Vyapar Mandal, added that while the import restrictions may pose temporary challenges for a limited number of Indian traders and manufacturers, the overall economic damage to Pakistan will be far more severe. He reiterated that the Indian trade community is prepared to bear short-term inconvenience in the larger interest of national security and sovereignty.
