India Bans Imports from Pakistan Amid Rising Tensions

By Rupam Jain

NEW DELHI, May 3 (Reuters) – India announced on Saturday that it had imposed a ban on the import of goods from Pakistan and barred Pakistani ships from entering Indian ports as tensions escalate between the two neighbouring countries following a deadly attack in the disputed Kashmir region.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade of India issued a notification stating that the ban would be immediately effective.

“This restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy,” the notification read.

Last week, suspected militants carried out an attack in the Pahalgam area of Kashmir, killing at least 26 people at a mountain tourist destination.

The Kashmir region, claimed by both India and Pakistan, has been a longstanding point of conflict, leading to wars, insurgencies, and diplomatic tensions.

India has accused Pakistan of involvement in the recent attack, a claim that Islamabad denies. Pakistan has alleged that it has credible intelligence suggesting India’s intentions to launch military actions.

In response, Pakistan has taken retaliatory measures, including halting border trade, closing its airspace to Indian carriers, expelling Indian diplomats, and warning against any interference with the flow of river water as per a treaty agreement.

India’s latest move prohibits Pakistani-flagged ships from visiting Indian ports and vice versa for Indian-flagged ships and ports in Pakistan.

“This order is issued to ensure the safety of Indian assets, cargo, and connected infrastructure in the interest of Indian shipping,” stated the Directorate General of Shipping.

Trade between India and Pakistan has significantly declined in recent years.

(Reporting by Rupam Jain; Editing by Stephen Coates and Kevin Liffey)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025.

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