Pahalgam Tension: In another stringent action against Pakistan amid tensions over the Pahalgam terror attack, India has banned direct or indirect imports from the neighbouring country.
Emphasising that the restriction on transit applies to all products from Pakistan, the central government has said that the latest decision has been taken in the interest of national security and public policy.
“Direct or indirect Import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect, until further orders. This restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy. Any exception to this prohibition shall require prior approval of the Government of India,” the notification read.
A provision in this regard has been added in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 “to prohibit direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan”, it said in the notification dated May 2.
As per official data, India’s exports to Pakistan fell 56.91 per cent year-on-year between April 2024 and February 2025 to $491 million, while there were no imports. Top exports to Pakistan in FY25 included drug formulations, sugar, bulk drugs, residual chemicals and auto components. The Attari-Wagah border, the sole trade route between India and Pakistan, had already been closed in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.
In another move against the neighbouring country, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said that ships bearing Pakistan flag shall not be allowed to visit any Indian port. An Indian flagship shall not visit any ports of Pakistan.
Ships bearing Pakistan flag shall not be allowed to visit any Indian port. An Indian flag ship shall not visit any ports of Pakistan: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways pic.twitter.com/IfB95nECCe
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2025
Additionally, as per a notice from the Ministry of Communications, the government of India has also decided to suspend the exchange of all categories of inbound mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes.
Govt of India has decided to suspend the exchange of all categories of inbound mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes, says a notice from the Ministry of Communications, GoI. pic.twitter.com/tqlWfopOpw
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2025
At least 26 civilians, including a Nepalese tourist and a local pony guide operator, were massacred by terrorists in the scenic Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22.
The relations between the two nations soured as terror links to Pakistan emerged. As per official data, India’s exports to Pakistan fell 56.91 per cent year-on-year between April 2024 and February 2025 to $491 million, while there were no imports.