India Bans All Imports From Pakistan: Latest Diplomatic Strike

India has banned imports as well as incoming mail and parcels from Pakistan and barred the docking of ships from the country at all Indian ports, according to a notification from the Ministry of Commerce. This step followed the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.

“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," read the notification from the Ministry of Commerce dated May 2. A provision in this regard has been added to the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) stated in the notification that this restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy. Any exception to this prohibition will require the approval of the Government of India.

Main imports from the neighbouring country during April-January 2024-25 included fruits and nuts ($0.08 million), certain oil seeds and medicinal plants ($0.26 million), and organic chemicals. Exports and imports from Pakistan in 2023-24 were $1.18 billion and $2.88 million, respectively.

Furthermore, India has also banned Pakistani-flagged ships from entering Indian ports, according to an order from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. “A ship bearing the flag of Pakistan shall not be allowed to visit any Indian port," it read. Moreover, Indian-flagged ships have also been forbidden to visit any ports in Pakistan. “This order is issued to ensure the safety of Indian assets, cargo, and connected infrastructure, in the public interest and for the interest of Indian shipping," it said.

Notably, India had already closed the Wagah-Attari border, the sole trade route between India and Pakistan, in the aftermath of the barbaric attack in J&K’s Pahalgam on April 22 that led to a further deterioration in ties between the two neighbouring countries.