India has banned direct or indirect import of goods from Pakistan, the Commerce Ministry has said. While direct imports from Pakistan have been minuscule, some goods were entering the country through indirect channels or via third countries.
As per the Commerce Ministry notification, a newly added provision in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) mentions prohibition of “direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan with immediate effect until further orders”.
”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 a notification by the Commerce Ministry.
The Wagah-Attari crossing, the sole trade route between India and Pakistan, had already been closed in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.
Imports from Pakistan primarily comprised pharma products, fruits and oilseeds. It declined over the years since the 2019 Pulwama attack, with India imposing a 200% duty on Pakistani products. Reports suggest it was less than 0.0001% of total imports in 2024-25.
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.
