• India bans all imports and transit of goods from Pakistan amidst rising tensions.
• The ban follows a deadly attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists.
• Pakistan retaliates with port bans and suspending trade routes to India.

India has implemented a sweeping ban on all imports of goods originating from or transiting via Pakistan, as diplomatic tensions have intensified following a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir that killed 26 individuals on April 22. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade announced that "direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan" will be prohibited with immediate effect. This action has been described as necessary for the "interest of national security and public policy," according to Reuters and Dawn.

In a further escalation, India has also suspended inbound mail and maritime connectivity with Pakistan. This includes not allowing Pakistani-flagged ships to dock at Indian ports and blocking Indian vessels from visiting Pakistani ports. The Indian Commerce Ministry's notifications highlight a growing list of restrictions imposed in light of the ongoing tensions, which have seen diplomatic ties fraying further. Both nations are engaging in retaliatory measures; Pakistan has already halted all border trade and closed its airspace to Indian carriers in response, according to Anadolu Agency and Dawn.

Pakistan, in reaction to India's measures, has further tightened restrictions by banning the use of its ports by Indian flag carriers and prohibiting the transit of Indian goods through its territory. A statement from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs indicated that these actions are necessary to "safeguard maritime sovereignty and national security," following India's accusations of cross-border links related to the attack. This represents a significant escalation in the tit-for-tat actions between the two countries, with both sides reinforcing military preparedness as tensions remain high, reports Dawn and Anadolu Agency.

Trade between the countries has significantly decreased in recent years, particularly following Pakistan's decision in 2019 to downgrade its trade relations to that of Israel's level in reaction to India's revocation of Article 370, granting special status to occupied Kashmir. Tensions have now reached alarming levels with both governments signaling readiness for confrontation, raising concerns about regional stability, according to Dawn and Anadolu Agency.