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India Bans Imports from Pakistan Amid Rising Tensions Over Pahalgam Attack
India bans imports from Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack, citing security. In response, Pakistan halts trade, expels diplomats & closes airspace. Tensions rise between nuclear-armed neighbors.
ND
by News Desk
2025-05-03
India Bans Imports from Pakistan Amid Rising Tensions Over Pahalgam Attack

India has announced a ban on the import of goods originating from or transiting through Pakistan, escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The move follows a deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, occupied Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. The Indian government has implied that the attack may have cross-border links, although no evidence has been provided. Pakistan, however, has firmly rejected these claims and called for a neutral investigation.

In response to the attack, India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification imposing the import ban “in the interest of national security and public policy,” effective immediately. This restriction adds to the growing list of aggressive measures taken by India, including an escalation of military readiness and political rhetoric. India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has granted “operational freedom” to the military, further heightening fears of conflict.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has bolstered its military forces along the border in anticipation of a potential incursion, while also engaging in diplomatic efforts to avoid escalation. On April 30, Pakistan stated it expected an Indian incursion within the next 24–36 hours. Both countries have kept diplomatic channels open in a bid to avert full-scale conflict.

In retaliation, Pakistan has taken several actions, including halting all border trade, expelling Indian diplomats, and closing its airspace to Indian carriers. On May 1, Pakistan did allow 150 Afghan trucks, stranded at the Wagah Border, to pass through, easing a bottleneck of goods.

The decline in trade between India and Pakistan, already significant in recent years, was further worsened after India’s controversial revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, which stripped Kashmir of its special status. Pakistan responded by downgrading its trade relations with India to the level of Israel, with which Pakistan has no diplomatic ties.

Social Media Blocks:
In another blow to the bilateral relationship, India has also been blocking Pakistani social media accounts. The latest to be blocked is the social media account of Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, as confirmed by the Pakistani government. India had previously blocked access to the YouTube channels of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). High-profile Pakistani cricketers, actors, entertainment channels, journalists, and news publications have also had their accounts restricted.

Attempts to access these profiles in India now result in a message stating: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”

As tensions continue to mount, both countries face the challenge of navigating complex diplomatic and trade disputes, with the international community calling for restraint and dialogue.

 
Tagged:

IndiaPakistanTensions

PakistanIndiaRelations

PahalgamAttack

TradeBan

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