Delhi:  The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced that India has halted all bilateral trade with Pakistan by prohibiting the direct or indirect import, export, and transit of products. The Pahalgam terror incident, which killed 26, prompted this move by the government. Already strained India-Pakistan relations worsened. The Gazette notification stated, “In exercise of power coffered by Section 3 read with Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, read with Paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, as amended from time to time, the Central government hereby inserts a new Para 2.20A in the Foreign Trade Policy”, effective immediately. Para 2.20A: Pakistani Import Prohibition. Direct or indirect import or transit of all Pakistani-made or exported items, whether freely importable or otherwise permitted, is barred starting immediately until further orders. This restriction protects national security and policy. The Commerce and Industry Ministry's notification stated that the Government of India must approve any exception to this rule. After the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26, the Central government closed the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, gave them 40 hours to return home, and reduced the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam attack. Narendra Modi promised that the attackers and conspirators will be punished beyond belief. He said the time has arrived to end terrorism and that India's 140 crore people will destroy terrorists.