India, Pakistan ban each other's ships from accessing ports

Amid the ongoing and escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue, both nations have imposed bans on each other’s flagged vessels from accessing their ports, reports The Economic Times.

Pakistan has barred Indian-flagged vessels from accessing its ports, just hours after India announced a series of punitive measures against Islamabad, including a ban on the import of goods from Pakistan and the entry of Pakistani ships into Indian ports.

On Saturday, the Indian government imposed a blanket ban on imports originating from or transiting through Pakistan. The ban, which took immediate effect, also prohibits Pakistani ships from docking at Indian ports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India was committed to taking “firm and decisive” action against terrorists and those who support them.

In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs’ Ports and Shipping Wing issued an order late Saturday prohibiting Indian flag carriers from visiting any Pakistani port.

The directive also banned Pakistani vessels from calling at Indian ports.

The developments follow the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead, mostly tourists, triggering a fresh wave of diplomatic and economic retaliation between the two countries.

In a sweeping set of new measures, India also suspended the exchange of mail and parcels with Pakistan via air and land routes. Additionally, Indian vessels have been barred from visiting Pakistani ports, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) confirmed.

These steps come on the heels of earlier Indian actions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the closure of the Attari land border crossing, and the downgrading of diplomatic ties with Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan army announced a successful training launch of the Abdali Weapon System, a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 km. A statement from the military said the exercise was intended to ensure operational readiness and validate key technical parameters.