Restrictions on Trade, Port Access, and Mail Services: India Imposes Total Blockade on Pakistan Following Pahalgam Terror Attack
Breaking News: India's Strict Measures Against Pakistan
In reaction to Pakistan's continued support to terrorism, India has imposed harsh economic sanctions.
On Saturday, India announced a series of punitive actions against Pakistan, effectively severing most trade and economic ties. Here's a breakdown of the new measures:
- Ban on Pakistan goods imports: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) prohibited the import of all goods originating from Pakistan, effective immediately. This restriction is intended to safeguard national security and public policy [1].
- Shipping restrictions: The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) issued an order banning ships with the Pakistani flag from visiting any Indian port. Conversely, Indian-flagged vessels are also forbidden from accessing Pakistani ports [2].
- Cessation of mail and parcel exchange: The Department of Posts announced the suspension of all categories of inbound mail and parcels from Pakistan via air and surface routes [3].
These economic actions come as India also works to undermine Pakistan at international forums as part of its efforts to build a global consensus against Islamabad.
The government has justified these measures using reasons of national security and national interest. Meanwhile, Pakistan has countered with similar moves, such as closing its airspace to Indian airliners and suspending all trade [4].
Despite these seemingly drastic actions, India's imports from Pakistan are minimal, amounting to approximately $500 million in the first nine months of 2024-25. Conversely, Pakistan imports much more from India, totaling nearly $448 million during April-January of FY25 [5].
These imports primarily consist of medicines, sugar, chemicals, auto components, and petroleum products. However, experts believe that Pakistan will continue to access Indian products via third countries, as the economic impact on India is expected to be minimal [5].
Following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 25 tourists and 24 Hindu civilians, Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba's proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF), initially claimed responsibility [6]. India has since identified three Pakistani terrorists involved in the attack and traced their digital footprints, implicating Pakistan's role in the tragedy [6].
- Pakistan Terror Attack
- India Bridge Ban
- Pahalgam
- Terrorism
- India Economic Sanctions
- The government's justification for these measures against Pakistan has been based on national security and national interest, according to general-news reports.
- In spite of the ban on importing goods from Pakistan, experts predict that Pakistan may continue to access Indian products through third countries, limiting the economic impact on India.
- In response to India's strict measures, Pakistan has also countered by closing its airspace to Indian airliners and suspending all trade, according to crime-and-justice reports.
- Furthermore, the new measures include the prohibition of the import of all goods from Pakistan by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), an essential part of India's infrastructure.
- The international community is closely watching the ongoing political manoeuvres between India and Pakistan in light of the recent escalation of tensions surrounding the India-Pakistan border.
- India's latest move, the imposition of harsh economic sanctions against Pakistan, is aimed at denting Pakistan's infrastructure and hindering its ability to export essential goods, such as medicines and petroleum products.
- Despite the ban on shipping vessels with the Pakistani flag from visiting Indian ports, India continues to face resistance within the country, with some questioning the long-term effects of these economic sanctions on India's own infrastructure development.
