Following the Pulwama attack, India has imposed strict restrictions on all goods originating from Pakistan, whether imported directly or through third countries. Goods arriving via the UAE and Iran are undergoing especially rigorous scrutiny to prevent any Pakistani goods from entering the country clandestinely.
India has initiated stringent monitoring of goods arriving from the UAE, Iran, and other Gulf countries to prevent Pakistan from indirectly importing goods into India through these nations. Recently, India raised concerns with the UAE about the illegal import of dates from Pakistan, exploiting loopholes in the India-UAE economic agreement.
After the terrorist attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22nd, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, India completely banned all goods from Pakistan. In response to this attack, 'Operation Sindur' was launched, and all trade relations with Pakistan, including those conducted through third countries, were severed. India is now closely monitoring transshipment hubs to prevent any goods of Pakistani origin from entering the country surreptitiously.
India-UAE Trade and Date Imports
In the fiscal year 2024-25, India exported $36.63 billion worth of goods to the UAE, while importing $63.42 billion. During this period, India imported dates worth a total of $270.4 million, of which $123.82 million came from the UAE. In the previous year (2023-24), India's total date imports amounted to $277.25 million.
Pakistan's exports to the UAE increased by 28%; Between July 2024 and February 2025, Pakistan sent $1.2 billion worth of goods to the UAE, a 28% increase compared to the previous year.
Complete Ban on All Imports from Pakistan
On May 2nd, 2025, the Indian government issued a significant order clarifying that no goods from Pakistan, whether directly or through a third country, will be allowed entry into India. This step was taken prioritizing national security and the national interest. Exemptions will only be granted with prior permission from the Indian government in exceptional cases. Between July 2024 and February 2025, Pakistan sent $1.2 billion worth of goods to the UAE, a 28% increase compared to the previous year.
Increasing Challenges in Inspecting Goods from Multiple Countries
Verifying products wholly manufactured in a single country is relatively straightforward. However, if the goods have undergone value addition in another country, the investigation becomes significantly more complex. In such cases, officials conduct thorough checks to ensure that goods from sanctioned countries are not entering India covertly.
India's Imports from Pakistan Continue to Decline
Between April and February of fiscal year 2024-25, India imported only $2.88 million worth of goods from Pakistan, primarily plants, seeds, dates, figs, and malt extract. Following the 2019 Pulwama attack, India imposed a 200% import duty on Pakistani goods, leading to a continuous decline in trade between the two countries.
