The Government of India has imposed a ban on Pakistani-flagged ships, preventing them from docking at Indian ports.
India has imposed sweeping restrictions on trade, postal services, and shipping with Pakistan in response to national security concerns following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.
In a directive issued on May 2, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) banned the import and transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan. Exceptions to the ban will require explicit government approval.
Simultaneously, the Department of Posts has suspended the exchange of mail and parcels through both air and land routes. Officials cited “cross-border linkages” in the Pahalgam attack as a primary reason for the measure, vowing strict consequences for those involved.
Further tightening restrictions, India has barred Pakistani-flagged ships from docking at its ports, while Indian-flagged vessels are prohibited from visiting Pakistani ports. The government stated that these actions were taken to safeguard national assets and infrastructure.
Trade figures indicate minimal economic exchange between the two countries in recent years. Between April 2024 and January 2025, India imported $2.88 million worth of goods—primarily fruits, nuts, oilseeds, and medicinal plants—while exporting $1.18 billion in goods, including organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
These measures mark a sharp escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan. Officials maintain that the bans are necessary to protect national security interests.
