New Delhi, April 24 (H.S.): After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government is taking strong measures against Pakistan on the trade front, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty and canceling visas for Pakistanis.
A complete ban on imports and exports between the two countries is being considered, with an internal note already prepared by the Ministry of Commerce. Current trade relations, already minimal due to official restrictions, still involve informal exchanges, where India imports specific fruits and dry fruits from Pakistan and exports certain medicines and sugar.
Trade turnover reached $2.56 billion in 2018-19 but has significantly declined since, with India’s exports to Pakistan dropping to $329 million in 2020-21. In the 2023-24 period, Pakistan imported goods worth $258.20 million from India through informal channels. Experts suggest that a complete ban on this informal trade could force Pakistan to pay higher prices for essential goods like life-saving medicines and sugar from other countries.
India can readily source dry fruits and certain fruits from alternative suppliers, meaning India is unlikely to face challenges from a full trade ban, while Pakistan could suffer substantial economic impacts.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
