India has immediately prohibited the direct or indirect import, export, and transit of goods from Pakistan, effectively stopping all bilateral trade between the two countries, according to the notification from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The government took this step in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people. This deteriorated the already stressed India-Pakistan ties.
“In exercise of power coffered by Section 3 read with Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, read with Paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, as amended from time to time, the Central government hereby inserts a new Para 2.20A in the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 as follows with immediate effect,” read the Gazette notification.
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. pic.twitter.com/KBamc3DhdW
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2025
“Para 2.20A: Prohibition on Import from Pakistan. 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,” further read the Commerce and Industry Ministry’s notification.
Pahalgam Terror Attack
Following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides.
Moreover, India also suspended the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the nation that those responsible for the attack, including the conspirators, will face punishment beyond their imagination. He remarked that the time has come to eradicate terrorism and that the collective will of India’s 140 crore people will crush the backbone of terrorists.
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