Latest news with #Pakistan-flagged
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Japan condemns attack, offers support
NEW DELHI: Japan on Monday offered its full support to India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror strike that killed 26 people as India strongly condemned Pakistan for supporting cross-border terrorism perpetrated by both state and non-state actors, during talks between defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart General Nakatani, who goes by only one name. Singh told Nakatani that such attacks destabilised regional peace and security, calling for 'a unified stand against terrorism and state-sponsored actions that perpetuate it.' 'During the meeting, both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and emphasised the need for global cooperation in this regard,' the defence ministry said. The two leaders met at a critical time when India is considering military options to target the neighbouring country for its support to terror that is bleeding Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already underlined that the armed forces have complete operational freedom to choose 'the mode, targets, and timing of the response' to the April 22 terror attack. Since the attack, India has unveiled several punitive measures, banning the import of goods originating in Pakistan, prohibiting Pakistan-flagged vessels from docking at Indian ports, shutting its airspace to aircraft registered in or operated by that country, suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, downgrading bilateral ties, expelling most Pakistani citizens in India, and shutting down the only operational land border crossing at Attari. India has also initiated steps to undercut Pakistan at international fora, working to thwart any attempt by Islamabad and its ally Beijing to divert attention from the issue of terrorism at the United Nations Security Council and asking the International Monetary Fund to review loans to the neighbouring country. The Pahalgam terror attack exposed Pakistan as a rogue state destabilising the region, and the world can no longer turn a blind eye to terrorism, India told the US last week as the world's two largest democracies engaged at the highest levels over the strike. The Indian side has also reached out to both permanent and non-permanent members of the UN Security Council in recent days to ensure the focus remains on the central issue of cross-border terrorism. Another step being eyed by the government is to approach the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to put Pakistan on its 'grey list' over concerns related to terror financing. Singh and Nakatani reaffirmed their commitment towards strengthening bilateral relations and contributing towards regional peace. 'The ministers welcomed the growing diversity and frequency of defence exercises and exchanges between the two countries and agreed to enhance the scope and complexity of these engagements. Both leaders agreed to add new dimensions to the robust maritime cooperation,' the defence ministry said in a statement. Singh also spoke about possible bilateral cooperation in areas including tank and aero engines, while highlighting local maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in different areas. 'Both sides agreed to enhance industry cooperation, including exploring collaboration in niche domains such as automation and artificial intelligence. The two ministers also decided to take cooperation forward in emerging areas like cyber and space,' it added.
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Trade, ports, mail: India shuts out Pakistan entirely after Pahalgam attack
India took fresh steps on Saturday to completely block out Pakistan as it unveiled punitive economic measures against the neighbouring country, banning the import of all goods originating there, prohibiting Pakistan-flagged vessels calling at Indian ports, and stopping the exchange of mail and parcels by land and air routes. The moves — by three different divisions: Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) and Department of Posts — are the latest in New Delhi's manoeuvres to retaliate against Pakistan over its continued support to terrorism, following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The government cited national security and national interest as reasons for the measures, which came against the backdrop of India also undercutting Pakistan at international fora as part of the efforts to build a global consensus against Islamabad. '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,' said a May 2 notification by DGFT, an arm of the commerce ministry. In a separate order issued on Saturday, DGS, which is a part of the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways, said all ships 'bearing the flag of Pakistan shall not be allowed to visit any Indian Port'. It also prohibited Indian-flagged vessels from visiting any Pakistani port. 'This order is issued to ensure safety of Indian assets, cargo and connected infrastructure, in public interest and for interest of Indian shipping. Any exemption or dispensation from this order shall be examined and decided on case-to-case basis,' it said, adding the order would be enforced with immediate effect. Union minister for communications and development of north eastern region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, shared another notification issued by the department of posts, which comes under the ministry of communications, saying the government had decided to 'suspend exchange of all categories of inbound mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes'. New Delhi has already announced a raft of steps against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the closure of its airspace to Pakistani aircraft, the expulsion of most Pakistani nationals, and the closure of the only operational land border crossing at Attari. It has also asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to review loans to the neighbouring country, people aware of the matter said. Pakistan has unveiled several counter-measures such as closing its airspace to Indian airliners and suspending all trade, as it offered to participate in an independent investigation of the attack — a proposition that New Delhi sees as meaningless given its past track-record of inaction in terror probes. Experts said the order banning the import and transit of Pakistani-origin goods carried a strong message even though Indian imports from Pakistan were negligible and were part of efforts to 'Our imports from Pakistan are nearly zero, whereas Pakistan imported Indian merchandise worth about $500 million in the first nine months of 2024-25,' an official said requesting anonymity. According to government data, Pakistan imported goods worth almost $448 million from India during April-January of FY25. These imports included medicines, sugar, chemicals, auto components and petroleum products. 'India doesn't depend on Pakistani goods, so the economic impact is minimal. However, Pakistan still needs Indian products and may continue accessing them through third countries through recorded and unrecorded routes,' said Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). Srivastava said India had imposed 200% tariffs on Pakistani goods after the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, reducing imports to just $420,000 between April 2024 and January 2025. These imports were limited to niche items such as figs, basil, rosemary and Himalayan pink salt. The measures initiated by India were unlikely to impact informal Pakistani imports of Indian goods such as medicines, chemicals, sugar and food items through third countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Sri Lanka, which GTRI has estimated at almost $10 billion a year. India used to import mineral oil, copper, fruits and nuts, salt, sulphur, plastering materials, cotton, raw hides and skins from Pakistan. It exported cotton, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, sugar, prepared animal fodder, vegetables, plastic articles and dairy products. Last week, a group of heavily armed terrorists emerged from the woods and targeted tourists on the Baisaran grassland near Pahalgam. Twenty-six people, 25 of them tourists and 24, Hindu were killed in the attack that was reminiscent of the heyday of terrorism in the 1990s and 2000s and the worst to rock the country since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba's proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF), initially claimed responsibility for the attack. New Delhi has since identified three Pakistani terrorists and tracked their digital footprints to underline Islamabad's role in the attack.
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
{Attari-Wagah border} Trade disruption: Porters, vendors & eatery owners stare at bleak future
A day after the last batch of Pakistani nationals returned home amid restrictions following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists, the Attari-Wagah border wore a deserted look. The checkpost came to life only in the evening when tourists arrived to witness the Beating Retreat ceremony. India on Saturday unveiled more punitive economic measures against Pakistan, including a ban on import of all goods originating in Pakistan, prohibiting Pakistan-flagged vessels calling at Indian ports, and stopping the exchange of mail and parcels by land and air routes. In response, Pakistan has suspended trade with India, including to and from any third country via its territory putting a halt to trade with Afghanistan. India's exports to Afghanistan were $264.15 million in 2024-25 (April-January), while imports stood at $591.49 million, including $358 million inbound shipments of dry fruits such as almonds, dried figs, pistachios, and raisins. This has caused panic among porters and other locals, who run businesses near the checkpost and rely on it for their livelihood. The trade with Pakistan, which was over ₹1,000 crore per year, was halted post-August 2019 after India abrogated Article 370. As many as 1,433 porters working at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) Attari, which facilitated India's trade with Afghanistan are now facing uncertain times. 'The closure of the trade with Pakistan since 2019 hit us but now the closure of trade with Afghanistan has left us jobless. I am the only breadwinner in my family. Closure of the trade has left me unemployed,' said Mohan Pehalwan, one of the porters. Apart from porters, the checkpost was thriving with businesses like vendors, small eateries and dhabas catering to not only a stream of people moving across the border on either side but also to tourists who came to see the Beating Retreat ceremony. Ever since the attack the ceremony has seen a 50% dip in footfall. Earlier, the tourists, averaging 20,000, started arriving after noon, now, they start arriving after 3 pm. 'I have been selling sugarcane juice here for the last 40 years. The damage done by the present circumstances is not only limited to the eateries. The livelihood of the entire labour class in 50 villages of this area depends on the Attari border. The present circumstances are not good for anybody', said Dharam Singh, a vendor outside the ICP. 'Unemployment has already hit youth in this border area. The new situation will further deepen the crisis. Our earnings have declined amid the panic at the border. I worked as a porter earlier in the ICP but lost my job after the closure of trade with Pakistan. Since then, I have been selling caps and painting flags on the faces of visitors but now with a decline in visitors I am seeing a dip in my earnings', said Rajinder Singh, a resident of Attari. 'Our daily income has reduced by 30%. The spectators are scared and avoid visiting the Attari-Wagah border', said Gola Shah, who runs a dhaba outside the ICP. APS Chatha, president of Amritsar hotels and restaurants association (AHARA), said, 'Terror attack at Pahalgam reduced the occupancy in the hotels of Amritsar by 60 to 65 persons. Bookings are getting cancelled. Tourists are visiting Amritsar in lesser numbers these days because uncertainty is prevailing in relation to tension between both the countries'. Two taxi owners, Bhupinder Singh and Jaspal Singh, said, 'In Amritsar city, taxi business largely depends on tourists travelling from the city to the Attari-Wagah border. Our business has dipped by 60%.'
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Pahalgam attack aftermath: India bans all trade, ships and mail from Pakistan
NEW DELHI: In a significant escalation of economic offensive in the wake of the Pahalgam attack , govt on Saturday moved to choke trade flows from Pakistan by imposing a blanket ban on all shipments - direct or routed through third countries, as well as mails and parcels from its hostile neighbour. It also barred Pakistan-flagged ships from entering Indian ports and prohibited Indian vessels from docking in Pakistan, signalling a hardening stance amid deteriorating bilateral ties. "This comprehensive ban, including indirect imports, will enable custom authorities to prevent Pakistani goods from entering India through circumvention," an official told TOI. This is the second major non-military offensive after visa restrictions were announced. If ban strictly imposed, business through third-party routes can be choked by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo While direct trade is relatively low, third-party trade is estimated to be in multiples of direct trade between the two countries. Govt's decision to impose 200% tariff on Pakistani imports and withdrawal of MFN (most favoured nation) status after the Pulwama attack has resulted in more consignments flowing through other countries as direct imports from Pakistan crashed from nearly $500 million in 2018-19 to $480,000 in 2023-24. Horticulture produce, cement, salt and cotton yarn were the most affected products, sources said. Even before this, considerable amounts of goods were entering from Pakistan via third countries. After 2019, these flows increased, particularly through UAE and Sri Lanka, possibly by misusing trade agreements — an issue that Indian authorities failed to adequately monitor. A lot of Pakistani fruits, dry dates, leather and textiles are repackaged and relabelled in UAE, while chemicals and specialty products are routed through Singapore. Indonesia is said to be the transit route for cement, soda ash and raw materials used by the textiles sector. Similarly, dry fruits, salt and leather goods are reprocessed and routed through Sri Lanka using SAFTA benefits. If the ban is strictly imposed, the flow of goods through these routes can be choked but it's unclear how govt wants to tackle this. There is much higher flow of Indian goods to Pakistan, although some of it, is now tapering off.
Gulf Today
03-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
India bans all imports from Pakistan, suspends inbound mail
India said on Saturday it has banned the import of goods originating from or transiting via Pakistan and suspended the exchange of inbound mail and parcels as diplomatic tensions between the two nations flared in the wake of a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian government also barred Pakistan-flagged ships from entering any of the nation's ports. According to a notification by the Commerce Ministry, "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. Any exception to this prohibition shall require prior approval of the Government of India," said the notification. A provision in this regard has been added in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 "to prohibit direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan," it said in the notification dated May 2. As per official data, India's exports to Pakistan fell 56.91 per cent year-on-year between April 2024 and February 2025 to $491 million, while there were no imports. Top exports to Pakistan in FY25 included drug formulations, sugar, bulk drugs, residual chemicals and auto components. In another development, according to a directive from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Pakistan-flagged ships have been banned from entering Indian ports. The directive also prohibited India-flagged vessels from docking at ports in Pakistan. Citing national security concerns, the directive was implemented to "ensure the safety of Indian assets, cargo, and related infrastructure, in public interest and for the interest of Indian shipping". The directive is effective immediately and will remain in force until further notice. "The objective of the Act is to foster the development and ensure the efficient maintenance of an Indian mercantile marine, in a manner best suited to serve national interests," the order issued by the ministry said. "A ship bearing the flag of Pakistan shall not be allowed to visit any Indian port, and an Indian-flagged ship shall not visit any port of Pakistan," the order further stated. According to the ministry, the action has been taken in the interest of "safety of Indian assets, cargo, and connected infrastructure", as well as to further the objectives of Indian shipping. Any exemption from the order will be examined and decided on a case-by-case basis. Indo-Asian News Service
