Can diplomatic row with Canada cause masoor dal shortage in India? Here’s how government is preparing

The killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar is not only having a deep impact on the diplomatic ties between India and Canada, but can also have a strain on your daily diet and kitchen. However, the Indian government has remained prepared for any such occurance.

As the geopolitical ties between India and Canada remain worsening over the Khalistan movement in the latter, many experts feared that it is likely to cause a shortage of masoor dal (red lentils) in India as Canada remains one of the prime suppliers of the pulse.

According to the official government data cited by the Economic Times, India imported 4.85 lakh tonnes of lentil worth Rs 3,012 crore from Canada in the year 2022-2023, and over one lakh tonne of masoor dal has been imported from Canada in April and June this year.

However, the Indian government has made sure that the lentil supply in India is not hit due to the row with Canada, with masoor dal being one of the most consumed pulses in the country. As per government officials, most of the red lentils imported from Canada are already here on the Indian ports.

Not just this, but over the past year, India has seen a major increase in the overall domestic produce of lentils, reducing the reliance on imports. Further, the government has continued to impose zero import duty on lentils, keeping the doors of masoor dal supply open from other countries.

The price of lentils in India has increased very marginally – from Rs 92 to Rs 93 – which shows that there is no immediate need to worry about the shortage of red lentils or masoor dal in Indian kitchens. Further, countries like Australia and Russia are expected to increase their supply of the commodity to India, likely filling the space left by Canada.

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