One year of Taliban takeover: 'Hing' spices up India-Afghanistan trade

However, the quantity imported isn't to meet overall demand, say traders; plans are on to start producing the condiment at home

The price of Hing (Asafoetida) in Khari Baoli near Chandni Chowk, Delhi has shot up more than 30 per cent the past two years.

“The import of Hing from Afghanistan had dropped significantly, especially during the past one year after the Taliban takeover. Though imports have resumed, the quantity is not sufficient to meet demand,” said Sidharth Batra, a trader in Khari Baoli, which is considered to be Asia's largest spice market.

Eighty five per cent of the Hing that India imports comes from Afghanistan, with smaller quantities coming from countries such as Uzbekistan, Iran and Kazakhstan. Indian cuisines are