New Delhi: India has banned direct or indirect import of all goods from Pakistan with immediate effect in the interest of national security and public policy, following the Pahalgam terror attack last month which killed 26 tourists, according to a government order.The decision will completely halt all inbound shipments of goods from Pakistan to India. India’s exports to Pakistan in April-January 2024-25 stood at USD 447.65 million, while imports were meagre USD 0.42 million.A provision in this regard has been added in Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 “to prohibit direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan with immediate effect until further orders”, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification dated May 2.It added this restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy.
Any exception to this prohibition will require approval of Government of India, the order said.Inserting the provision under the heading “Prohibition on Import from Pakistan” in the FTP, it said: “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”.Main imports from the neighbouring country during April-January 2024-25 included fruits and nuts (USD 0.08 million), certain oil seeds and medicinal plants (USD 0.26 million), and organic chemicals. The decision follows a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed.
Following the terror attack, India took a series of measures including immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post, used for movement of certain kinds of goods. Besides, India has announced expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, and suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960.Due to this, the trade between India and Pakistan has already come to a complete halt. The two-way trade between the countries was miniscule following steps taken by both sides after the Pulwama terror attack in 2019. In retaliation, Pakistan has also announced suspension of all trade with India, including to and from any third country through Pakistan.Exports and imports in 2023-24 were USD 1.18 billion and USD 2.88 million, respectively. In 2022-23 and 2021-22, India exported goods worth USD 627.1 million and USD 513.82 million, and imported products worth USD 20.11 million and USD 2.54 million, respectively.