India Bans Pakistani Goods: Another Blow to Terror Loving Pakistan! All Imports Freezed, How Will Pak Cope Now?

 In a decisive move following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has imposed a complete ban on the import and transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), issued Notification No. 06/2025-26 dated May 2, 2025, effectively shutting all trade doors with immediate effect.

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

The notification, to be published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), invokes national security and public policy as the primary grounds for the sweeping trade embargo. This ban applies not only to direct imports but also to indirect import and transit, even for goods that were otherwise freely importable under the existing policy framework.

A new paragraph—2.20A—has been inserted in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, stating:

“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.”

This order reflects India’s firm zero-tolerance stance against terrorism, particularly in response to cross-border attacks. By targeting trade, India aims to strike at one of the few remaining avenues of engagement between the two nations, signaling that bilateral cooperation cannot continue while terrorism remains unchecked.

Background and Implications

The move comes amid nationwide outrage over the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left several civilians and security personnel injured. Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier vowed a strong response to terrorism, and this trade suspension is being seen as a significant part of that broader policy.

While trade between the two countries had already reduced drastically post the Pulwama attack in 2019, some goods were still moving via indirect routes through third countries. With the inclusion of "indirect" imports in this fresh notification, such loopholes have now been sealed.

India's move also sends a strong message to the international community regarding its uncompromising stance on national security and its call for global accountability on state-sponsored terrorism.

Further decisions on easing or extending the ban will depend on future developments and whether Pakistan takes visible steps to dismantle terror networks operating from its soil.