India imposes full trade freeze, airspace ban, and visa cancellations on Pakistan after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives
India executed a total freeze of trade activities with Pakistan on May 3. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade released a document prohibiting every direct and indirect trade between Pakistan and India.
The authorities declared national security concerns and public policy factors to be the key motives for this decision. India implemented trade limitations while stopping all ships from the Pakistan registry from entering its ports. Under orders from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, all Indian flag vessels lost permission to enter Pakistani waterways.
India took these measures to create instant economic hardship through severed logistics ties between Pakistan and India. The Government of India issued immediate guidelines for the port ban. Special permission for port access exists, but officials state such permits will be granted only in rare instances. According to source statements, similar measures exist within a comprehensive national security strategy.
Airspace Closure and Water Flow Reduction
India implemented limitations after Pakistan blocked airspace access to Indian planes through a decision made on April 24. On April 30, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) published a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) that prevents every Pakistani-registered aircraft and those operated by Pakistan from using Indian airspace until May 23. The airspace ban includes military flights, as well as commercial ones.
As part of these actions, the governing party decided to manage water under the Indus Waters Treaty. The Indian government lowered Baglihar Dam outflows on the Chenab River because of national security risks. Water flow from Pakistan decreased after changing the operations of the spillways.
The Indian officials declared that such measures function as a brief measure against their opposing side. Oncoming water flow limitations will impact the Kishanganga Dam because the structure operates as the main water management facility for the Jhelum River, according to authorities.
Visa Cancellations and Diplomatic Retaliation
India has stepped up its retaliatory measures by restricting Pakistani nationals’ visa obtaining. On April 27, the Ministry of Home Affairs cancelled fourteen types of visas covering business purposes, tourism applications, and journalism activities. Medical visas became invalid before April 30, and SAARC-specific applications were terminated before April 26.
Indian authorities gave Pakistani citizens acceptable visas until May 1 to exit the country through the Attari land border before closing it to all travel. The embassy cut additional diplomatic staff by recalling all Pakistani military and Pakistani defence personnel working in India.
