India bans all imports from Pakistan, suspends inbound mail

India said on Saturday it has banned the import of goods originating from or transiting via Pakistan and suspended the exchange of inbound mail and parcels as diplomatic tensions between the two nations flared in the wake of a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Indian government also barred Pakistan-flagged ships from entering any of the nation's ports.

According to a notification by the Commerce Ministry, "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 the notification.

A provision in this regard has been added in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 "to prohibit direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan," it said in the notification dated May 2.

As per official data, India's exports to Pakistan fell 56.91 per cent year-on-year between April 2024 and February 2025 to $491 million, while there were no imports. Top exports to Pakistan in FY25 included drug formulations, sugar, bulk drugs, residual chemicals and auto components.

In another development, according to a directive from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Pakistan-flagged ships have been banned from entering Indian ports.

The directive also prohibited India-flagged vessels from docking at ports in Pakistan.

Citing national security concerns, the directive was implemented to "ensure the safety of Indian assets, cargo, and related infrastructure, in public interest and for the interest of Indian shipping".

The directive is effective immediately and will remain in force until further notice.

"The objective of the Act is to foster the development and ensure the efficient maintenance of an Indian mercantile marine, in a manner best suited to serve national interests," the order issued by the ministry said.

"A ship bearing the flag of Pakistan shall not be allowed to visit any Indian port, and an Indian-flagged ship shall not visit any port of Pakistan," the order further stated.

According to the ministry, the action has been taken in the interest of "safety of Indian assets, cargo, and connected infrastructure", as well as to further the objectives of Indian shipping.

Any exemption from the order will be examined and decided on a case-by-case basis.

Indo-Asian News Service