India has announced a ban on the import of goods originating from or passing through Pakistan and has prohibited Pakistani ships from entering its waters, amid escalating tensions between the two nuclear-capable neighbors following a fatal attack on tourists in the contested Kashmir region.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade in India issued a notification stating that the ban would take effect immediately.
“This restriction is enforced for the sake of national security and public policy,” the notification stated.
Last week, suspected militants attacked a mountainous tourist area in the Pahalgam region of Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of at least 26 individuals.
India has accused Pakistan of complicity in this attack, a claim that Islamabad has firmly denied. Furthermore, Pakistan has asserted that it possesses “credible intelligence” suggesting that India may be planning a military operation.
In response, Pakistan has taken measures including ceasing all border trade, closing its airspace to Indian airlines, and expelling Indian diplomats.
Additionally, it has warned that any attempts to obstruct the flow of river water guaranteed under a long-standing treaty would be viewed as an act of war.
Today, India confirmed that Pakistani-flagged vessels would no longer be allowed entry into any Indian ports, and Indian-flagged ships would be prohibited from visiting any Pakistani ports.
“This directive is issued to secure Indian assets, cargo, and related infrastructure, in the public interest and for the betterment of Indian shipping,” the Directorate General of Shipping remarked in a statement.
Over the past few years, trade between the two countries has significantly declined.
