India has imposed a total ban on imports from Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce on Friday. The government stated that the decision, effective immediately, was made in the interest of national security and public policy and will remain in effect until further notice.

The restriction extends to goods already in transit and further strengthens India’s continued diplomatic measures against cross-border terrorism.

The Government of India has officially incorporated a new provision titled “Prohibition on Import from Pakistan“ into the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), which immediately bans all goods that originate from or are exported by Pakistan. “Any exception to this prohibition shall require prior approval of the Government of India,” the ministry added.

After the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, India has implemented several measures against Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism. These steps include suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down the Integrated Check Post at Attari, and scaling back diplomatic personnel at High Commissions.

Since the 2019 Pulwama attack, imports from Pakistan have consistently dwindled due to India’s imposition of a 200% customs duty on Pakistani goods. By the 2024–25 fiscal year, Pakistan’s contribution to India’s total imports had fallen to an almost negligible 0.0001 percent. The remaining trade primarily consisted of pharmaceutical products, fruits, and oilseeds.

India’s commerce ministry reported a steep decline in imports, dropping to $420,000 between April 2024 and January 2025, down from $2.86 million in the previous year. Additionally, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has barred Pakistani-flagged ships from docking at Indian ports while also restricting Indian-flagged vessels from accessing ports in Pakistan.

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