NEW DELHI — After banning all imports from Pakistan, India on Saturday barred
Pakistan-flagged ships from entering any of its ports, following the barbaric
attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which took 26 lives.
According to a directive from the Ministry of Ports,
Shipping and Waterways, Pakistan-flagged ships have been banned from entering
Indian ports.
The directive also prohibited India-flagged vessels from
docking at ports in Pakistan.
Citing national security concerns, the directive was
implemented to "ensure the safety of Indian assets, cargo, and related
infrastructure, in public interest and for the interest of Indian
shipping".
The directive is effective immediately and will remain in
force until further notice.
"The objective of the Act is to foster the
development and ensure the efficient maintenance of an Indian mercantile
marine, in a manner best suited to serve national interests," the order
issued by the ministry said.
"A ship bearing the flag of Pakistan shall not be allowed
to visit any Indian port, and an Indian-flagged ship shall not visit any ports
of Pakistan," the order further stated.
According to the ministry, the action has been taken in
the interest of "safety of Indian assets, cargo, and connected infrastructure",
as well as to further the objectives of Indian shipping.
Any exemption from the order will be examined and decided
on a case-by-case basis.
Earlier in the day, India banned all imports - direct and
indirect - from Pakistan amid rising tensions with the neighbouring country.
According to a notification by the Commerce Ministry,
"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."
"This restriction is imposed in the interest of
national security and public policy. Any exception to this prohibition shall
require prior approval of the Government of India," said the notification.
India bans all
imports from Pakistan amid rising tensions
India has banned all imports - direct and indirect - from
Pakistan amid rising tensions with the neighbouring country over the barbaric
Pahalgam terror attack.
According to a notification by the Commerce Ministry,
"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."
"This restriction is imposed in the interest of
national security and public policy. Any exception to this prohibition shall
require prior approval of the Government of India," said the notification.
A provision in this regard has been added in the Foreign
Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 "to prohibit direct or indirect import or transit
of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan," it said in the
notification dated May 2.
As per official data, India's exports to Pakistan fell
56.91 per cent year-on-year between April 2024 and February 2025 to $491
million, while there were no imports. Top exports to Pakistan in FY25 included
drug formulations, sugar, bulk drugs, residual chemicals and auto components.
The Attari-Wagah border, the sole trade route between
India and Pakistan, had already been closed in the aftermath of the Pahalgam
attack.
At least 26 civilians, including a Nepalese tourist and a
local pony guide operator, were massacred by terrorists in the scenic Baisaran
meadow in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The relations between the two nations
soured as terror links to Pakistan emerged.
As per official data, India's exports to Pakistan fell
56.91 per cent year-on-year between April 2024 and February 2025 to $491
million, while there were no imports.
Top exports to Pakistan in FY25 included drug formulations,
sugar, bulk drugs, residual chemicals and auto components.
Meanwhile, the ongoing tension with India has shaken the
confidence of investors in Pakistan badly, setting the country on course to
record its worst performance in dollar bonds and stocks since 2023.
The investors have lost at least four per cent during
April, while equities are down by three per cent. In comparison, India's assets
have largely been invulnerable.
Global powers, including the United States, have called
on both parties to show restraint and de-escalate tensions.
