Trade fallout: India's ban impacts Pakistani trade
India has banned ships carrying goods to or from Pakistan after the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, causing big changes in how goods move in the region.
Since May 2, both direct and indirect shipments through Indian ports are blocked, forcing traders to use smaller (and pricier) feeder vessels instead of regular routes.
Trade between India and Pakistan has dropped sharply since 2019
This move has slowed shipments by up to 50 days and made shipping much more expensive for businesses.
India is also cracking down on containers trying to sneak in Pakistani goods under false labels.
Since tensions spiked in 2019, trade between the two countries has dropped sharply—from $2.41 billion to just $1.2 billion—and Pakistan's exports to India have nearly vanished.
For young people interested in global affairs or business, it's a real example of how politics can hit everyday trade and jobs across borders.