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India Bans All Imports from Pakistan Amid Escalating Tensions Over Pahalgam Terror Attack
New Delhi:
In a decisive move reflecting mounting security concerns, India has announced a complete ban on imports from Pakistan, following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Ministry of Commerce issued a formal notification stating that the ban is being enforced “in the interest of national security and public policy.”
The notification reads:
“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. Any exception to this prohibition shall require prior approval from the Government of India.”
This blanket prohibition includes goods already in transit and comes as bilateral relations continue to deteriorate. The Wagah-Attari border—previously the only active trade route between the two countries—had already been closed in the immediate aftermath of the Pahalgam incident.
India’s imports from Pakistan had already plummeted in recent years, particularly following the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, when New Delhi imposed a 200% customs duty on Pakistani goods. By the fiscal year 2024–25, imports from Pakistan accounted for less than 0.0001% of India’s total import volume. Key imports had included pharmaceutical products, fruits, and oilseeds.
Background: Pahalgam Terror Attack and Diplomatic Fallout
The latest ban follows the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 civilians—including a Nepalese tourist and a local pony operator—were killed by suspected militants in the Baisaran meadow. Indian intelligence agencies have linked the attack to terror groups based in Pakistan, further inflaming already fragile ties between the two nations.
In response, India has taken a series of stringent diplomatic and strategic actions:
- Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty: India has announced the suspension of the landmark 1960 water-sharing agreement, citing “sustained cross-border terrorism.” The move may allow India to divert or restrict the flow of the Indus River system, a critical water source for Pakistan.
- Visa Cancellations: All visas issued to Pakistani nationals, including medical and business visas, have been revoked. Pakistani nationals currently in India have been directed to leave within a specified timeframe.
- Downgrading of Diplomatic Ties: Both nations have significantly reduced diplomatic engagement, and formal communication remains minimal.
Meanwhile, tensions persist along the Line of Control and the International Border, with repeated ceasefire violations and targeted provocations reported from the Pakistani side.
Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed the government’s position, stating that India would not engage in any trade or diplomatic negotiations with Pakistan until terrorism is fully eradicated from Jammu and Kashmir.
The latest actions underscore India’s firm stance on national security and its zero-tolerance policy toward cross-border terrorism.
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