In a decisive move reflecting heightened security concerns, the Government of India has announced an immediate suspension of all imports and transit of goods from Pakistan. The ban encompasses both direct and indirect shipments—regardless of their current import classification—and will remain in force “until further orders,” according to the latest Gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Citing powers under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act of 1992 and the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, the notification introduces a new provision—Para 2.20A—explicitly prohibiting “the import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted.” The government underscored that the embargo is “imposed in the interest of national security and public policy” and that any exceptions would require high-level approval from New Delhi.
This sweeping trade curtailment comes in the wake of last month’s terrorist assault in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. India responded swiftly: the Attari Integrated Check Post (ICP) was shut down, the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals was suspended—with those already in India given 40 hours to depart—and diplomatic staffing at the respective High Commissions was scaled down.
In a further escalation, New Delhi has temporarily halted its participation in the six-decade-old Indus Waters Treaty, marking one of the most significant strains in Indo-Pak relations since the pact’s signature in 1960.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Sunday, condemning the “dastardly” Pahalgam attack and vowing retribution for both its executors and architects. “The time has come to dismantle the last bastions of terror,” he declared, invoking the resolve of India’s 140 crore citizens to “break the backbone” of those who threaten the country’s peace and security.
Trade analysts warn that the ban will disrupt traditional supply chains—textiles, agricultural produce, and industrial components once imported from Pakistan will now have to be sourced elsewhere. While India’s overall bilateral trade with Pakistan represents a small fraction of its total foreign commerce, the sudden policy shift is expected to have immediate ripple effects in sectors that have historically depended on cross-border exchanges.
Observers note, however, that the prohibition also serves as a strong diplomatic signal. “This is more than an economic sanction; it’s a statement of India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism,” said Dr. Meera Kulkarni, a security expert at the Centre for Strategic Studies. “By leveraging trade policy, New Delhi is underscoring that acts of violence will incur severe, multidimensional costs.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has yet to issue an official response, though early diplomatic channels suggest Islamabad is preparing countermeasures. In the coming weeks, both governments will face pressure not only to manage the humanitarian and commercial fallout but also to navigate an increasingly polarized regional security landscape.
As the ban takes effect immediately, importers and logistics companies have been directed to halt processing of any Pakistan-origin consignments. The Commerce Ministry reiterated that “any violation of this prohibition will invite stringent legal action under the Foreign Trade Act,” and urged stakeholders to await further guidance on permissible exceptions, should they be granted.
