In a significant move that further strains relations between India and Pakistan, the Indian government has issued a directive prohibiting ships flying the Pakistani flag from docking at Indian ports. The order, which came into effect on May 2, 2025, also bars Indian vessels from visiting Pakistani ports, marking a new chapter in the escalating tensions between the two countries.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways cited national security concerns following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives and has been attributed to Pakistan-backed terrorist groups by New Delhi. As a response to this attack, India had already restricted Pakistani airlines’ use of its airspace, a decision that has been met with retaliation from Islamabad.

The new maritime ban, backed by the Merchant Shipping Act of 1958, is intended to safeguard India’s maritime interests and protect its national security. It not only prohibits Pakistani vessels from docking at Indian ports but also mandates that Indian ships avoid visiting Pakistani ports. Any violations of the order could lead to severe penalties, including the cancellation of Indian vessels’ registrations. Additionally, foreign vessels transporting goods or passengers to or from Pakistani ports will also be subject to the restrictions, further isolating Pakistan from India’s critical maritime routes.

The move is seen as the latest in a series of retaliatory actions between India and Pakistan. On April 30, India had already banned Pakistani airlines from using its airspace, a decision that escalated the already fraught diplomatic environment. Pakistan, denying involvement in the Pahalgam attack, responded by suspending all trade with India, including indirect trade through third countries such as the UAE. This maritime ban is likely to have far-reaching consequences, particularly for Pakistan’s economy, as much of its informal trade with India, estimated at $10 billion annually, is routed through third nations.

The ban could severely disrupt Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector, which relies heavily on Indian imports, and may also affect the local economies around India’s Integrated Check Posts (ICPs). Furthermore, trade lawyers such as Shantanu Singh predict that these disruptions will exacerbate challenges for Pakistan, especially as both nations already contend with regional economic strains.

International observers, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have urged India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and engage in dialogue. However, with both countries doubling down on retaliatory measures, including India’s suspension of its participation in the Indus River water-sharing agreement and Pakistan’s expulsion of Indian diplomats, the path to reconciliation remains uncertain.

The decision to bar Pakistani vessels underscores the increasingly divisive nature of India-Pakistan relations, with maritime routes now added to the long list of contentious issues between the two neighbors. As the diplomatic standoff continues to unfold, the Indian government has made it clear that it intends to maintain a firm stance, prioritizing national security and regional stability over immediate reconciliation.

The Government of India has announced the immediate suspension of all inbound mail and parcel exchanges with Pakistan, effective May 3, 2025. This unprecedented measure, confirmed by the Ministry of Communications through a public notice issued by the Department of Posts, halts the transportation of mail and parcels via both air and surface routes.

This decisive step follows the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 23, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, including 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national. The attack, one of the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama incident, has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. India has accused Pakistan of harboring cross-border terrorism, a claim that Pakistan continues to deny. The attack has triggered nationwide protests and calls for justice, as well as widespread condemnation from the Indian diaspora globally.

The suspension of postal services is part of a broader series of retaliatory actions by India. These include the expulsion of six Pakistani diplomatic staff members on April 30, 2025, the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty on April 24, 2025, and the downgrading of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Furthermore, Pakistan’s recent closure of its airspace to Indian airlines has led to the suspension of crucial flight routes, particularly to Central Asia, severely affecting Indian aviation. The airspace shutdown in 2019, which cost Indian airlines $82 million due to longer flight routes and increased fuel consumption, has further strained the economic ties between the two nations.

The Ministry of Communications has instructed all Heads of Circles to make the public notice widely available, signaling the Indian government’s intent to sever postal communication with Pakistan. The suspension disrupts a long-standing channel of exchange that had endured despite decades of geopolitical tensions, potentially hindering trade, personal communications, and cross-border commerce.

Analysts warn that this escalation is likely to further strain the already fraught India-Pakistan relations, which have been deteriorating since India’s abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. As diplomatic and economic pressures mount, the long-term effects on both countries remain uncertain, with concerns about potential economic and humanitarian consequences for the region.

India’s hardline stance signals a clear effort to pressure Pakistan to address longstanding concerns over terrorism, though the path ahead remains unclear.

In a significant move, India has announced a complete ban on the direct and indirect import of all goods from Pakistan, effective immediately. The decision, made public through a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on May 2, 2025, is grounded in national security and public policy concerns, following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.

The new regulation prohibits the transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, with any potential exceptions requiring prior approval from the Government of India. This decision is part of India’s broader strategy to enhance security measures in the wake of persistent cross-border terrorism. Pakistan’s imports to India have been minimal, comprising just 0.0001% of India’s total imports for FY25. Major imports included fruits, nuts, medicinal plants, and organic chemicals.

Trade between the two countries had already been severely restricted in recent years. Following the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, India had raised import duties on goods from Pakistan, effectively halting most trade. In retaliation, Pakistan suspended trade ties with India, further exacerbating the bilateral trade situation.

The Indian government has also taken additional steps in response to the Pahalgam attack, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, and the closure of the Attari land-transit post. Pakistan has also retaliated with a suspension of all trade to and from India, including transit through third-party countries.

The strained relationship between India and Pakistan, rooted in longstanding issues such as the Kashmir conflict and cross-border terrorism, continues to impact bilateral trade. India’s decision marks another chapter in its ongoing diplomatic actions aimed at safeguarding its national interests.