India Cuts All Trade and Maritime Links with Pakistan: Imports, postal services, and bans Pakistani ships from ports banned following the deadly terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
In a series of swift and strong retaliatory measures following the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 people—mostly tourists—the Government of India on Saturday announced a complete suspension of inbound mails and parcels from Pakistan via both air and surface routes. This move comes in addition to earlier decisions taken the same day to ban all imports from Pakistan and bar Pakistan-flagged ships from entering Indian ports.
The Ministry of Communications, in an official notification, declared the immediate suspension of all categories of inbound mail and parcels originating from Pakistan. “The Government of India has decided to suspend exchange of all categories of inbound mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes,” read the notice issued late Saturday.
The decision marks yet another escalation in India’s economic and diplomatic response to Pakistan, which New Delhi holds responsible for harbouring and supporting terror outfits that operate across the border. The deadly terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam region has sent shockwaves across the nation, prompting a call for stronger action against terrorism and those abetting it.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Commerce issued a notification banning all imports—direct and indirect—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,” the statement read.
Big move by Modi govt: India formally bans all imports from Pakistan
No Pakistani-flagged ship will be allowed at any Indian port.
Clear message — terrorism or trade, you can’t have both. pic.twitter.com/EsJo6jM6vB— Dr Padma Veerapaneni ( Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrPadmaofficial) May 3, 2025
The government clarified that the restriction is being imposed “in the interest of national security and public policy.” Any exception to this rule would require prior clearance from the Government of India.
Taking the offensive further into the maritime domain, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways announced that Pakistan-flagged vessels would no longer be permitted to dock at any Indian ports. Additionally, the directive prohibits Indian-flagged vessels from docking at Pakistani ports.
The shipping ministry stated that 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 order cited national security concerns and took effect immediately, remaining in force until further notice.
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Quoting provisions from India’s shipping regulations, the ministry emphasized, “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.”
These coordinated measures signal India’s strategic shift from restrained diplomacy to economic and logistical isolation in dealing with cross-border terrorism. India has increasingly used trade and maritime restrictions in the past as part of its diplomatic toolbox to pressure Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a joint press conference with visiting Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, reaffirmed India’s firm resolve to combat terrorism.
“We are firmly united in our stance against terrorism. I expressed my gratitude to President Lourenco and the people of Angola for their sympathies to those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack,” the Prime Minister stated. He added, “We are committed to taking firm and decisive actions against terrorists and those who support them. We thank Angola for its support in our fight against terrorism.”
The Pahalgam attack, one of the deadliest in recent times targeting civilians and tourists, has evoked nationwide condemnation and demands for robust governmental response. Security has since been tightened in sensitive zones, and intelligence agencies are on high alert.
India’s moves reflect a comprehensive approach to counterterrorism—not just through military preparedness, but also by closing economic and logistical pathways that may facilitate or benefit those involved in orchestrating or enabling terror operations.
As of now, the government has not set a timeline for lifting these restrictions, indicating that the bans could remain in place for the foreseeable future depending on Pakistan’s actions and international developments.
