No More Tolerance: India Bans All Imports from Pakistan Effective Immediately

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 3rd May: In a decisive and far-reaching move, the Government of India has completely prohibited the import of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, effective immediately. The announcement was made through Notification No. 06/2025-26 issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The blanket ban — covering direct and indirect imports, including via third countries or transit routes — has been enacted under Para 2.20A of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, which has now been updated. The new provision clearly states:

“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. This restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy.”

The decision marks one of the most assertive trade actions India has taken against Pakistan in recent years, signaling a firm stand amid heightened concerns over cross-border hostilities, terrorism, and national security.

This move effectively dismantles any remaining commercial conduits between the two nations and deals a sharp blow to Pakistan’s already fragile export sector, which had seen limited access to the Indian market post the 2019 revocation of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status by New Delhi following the Pulwama terror attack.

India’s trade with Pakistan has already been minimal, but this formal and complete prohibition serves as a clear political and economic message — underscoring that any tolerance for trade ties is contingent upon regional peace and Pakistan’s actions on terror.

The full text of the notification is available on the official DGFT website: https://dgft.gov.in