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A cross-border tapestry of history, culture and untapped potential

26 8
07.05.2025

The Thar Desert, stretching across northwestern India and southeastern Pakistan, represents far more than just an arid landscape - it stands as a living testament to centuries of shared history, culture and untapped economic potential. About 85 per cent of this vast desert lies within India's Rajasthan state while the remaining 15 per cent extends into Pakistan's Sindh province. Despite the political division created by the 1947 partition, the people of these regions remain deeply connected through language, traditions and enduring familial bonds.

This region was once a thriving trade corridor linking the Indian subcontinent with Central Asia, but today it symbolises missed opportunities for cross-border cooperation. While other divided regions like Punjab have established connections such as the Kartarpur Corridor, the Rajasthan-Sindh border remains largely neglected despite holding immense potential for trade, tourism and cultural exchange. The historical ties here run deep, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilisation that left its mark at sites like Kalibangan in Rajasthan and Mohenjo Daro in Sindh. Medieval periods saw close connections between Rajput kingdoms and Sindhi Sufi dynasties, creating a unique cultural synthesis where Hindu and Muslim traditions intertwined seamlessly.

The desert landscape is dotted with........

© The Express Tribune