GUWAHATI: Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated once again after Pakistan announced a complete ban on Indian ships entering its ports, intensifying the ongoing trade war between the two South Asian neighbours. The move, announced on May 3 by Pakistan’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs, is seen as a direct response to India’s sweeping import ban on Pakistani goods following the Pahalgam terror attack.
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As per the new maritime directive, all Indian-flagged vessels are barred from docking at any Pakistani port. Furthermore, Pakistani vessels have been instructed not to visit Indian ports either. The order adds that any exemptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, but the restrictions take immediate effect. The ministry cited national security, economic interests and maritime sovereignty as key reasons behind the decision.
The Indo-Pak trade standoff took a sharp turn earlier this week after India imposed a full ban on imports from Pakistan, blocking even those arriving through third countries. This follows a series of punitive steps including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari land border, and halting all mail and parcel services between the two countries.
The trigger for this latest diplomatic fallout was the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. The cross-border tensions have since spiralled, with both nations adopting hardline stances in trade, diplomacy, and logistics.
