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India enacts a ban on all imports from Pakistan, obstructing vessels from docking at their ports following the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
Breaking news! 🚨 India promptly enforces an instant ban on all merchandise imports from Pakistan 🇵🇰. The ruling, outlined in the Ministry of Commerce's update, takes effect immediately and is backed by the stipulations within the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023. Furthermore, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways puts a stop to Pakistani-registered vessels from entering Indian ports, while Indian vessels are forbidden from docking at any port in Pakistan.
Politics corner: Channi Stirs Controversy! The recent announcement comes after a statement from Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi, who questioned the proof of the surgical strike. The controversial remark led to a heated debate.
The FTP amendment, which incorporates Para 2.20A, explicitly blocks "direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan" as per the notification[1][3][4]. The key aspects are:
Policy Provisions
- Coverage: All goods, including those previously allowed, fall under the ban[1][4].
- Exceptions: Any exceptions demand prior authorization from the Indian administration[1][3].
- Objective: Enacted to safeguard national security and public interests, following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025[1][4].
Supportive Measures
- Maritime Regulations: Pakistani vessels are prohibited from Indian ports, and Indian ships are barred from sailing to Pakistani ports under updated Merchant Shipping Act provisions[1].
- Transit Ban: Goods traded through third nations are also affected[2][4].
- Economic Toll: India's imports from Pakistan amounted to merely $0.42 million (April-January FY25), stemming mostly from plants, seeds, dates, and figs[4].
Triggering Events
The ban corresponds with larger retaliatory actions, such as suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, reduction in diplomatic personnel, and the shutdown of the Attari trade checkpoint[1][3]. The FTP amendment functions as a non-military economic countermeasure in response to cross-border terrorism[1][4].
The DGFT notification (May 2, 2025) officially sets the ban in stone indefinitely, marking a substantial leap in India's trade policy countermeasures[4].
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/business/India-bans-import-of-goods-from-Pakistan/article33713304.ece[2] https://www.thehindu.com/business/India-imposes-transit-ban-on-goods-from-Pakistan/article33669920.ece[3] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-bans-direct-indirect-immigration-from-pakistan-amid-terror-threats-101684000586289.html[4] https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/india-bans-direct-indirect-trade-pakistan-following-terror-attack-170204
- The latest news reveals that India has implemented an immediate ban on merchandise imports from Pakistan, based on provisions within the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.
- The ban, which covers all goods, extends to Pakistani vessels being barred from Indian ports and Indian vessels from docking at Pakistani ports.
- In the realm of politics, controversy was ignited by Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi, who questioned the proof of the surgical strike, leading to a heated debate.
- The FTP amendment, incorporating Para 2.20A, aims to safeguard national security and public interests following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025.
- Although India's imports from Pakistan were minimal, the ban coincides with larger retaliatory actions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the closure of the Attari trade checkpoint.
- The ban serves as a non-military economic countermeasure in response to cross-border terrorism, with the DGFT notification officially setting the ban in stone indefinitely, marking a significant shift in India's trade policy countermeasures.
