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Pakistan has officially suspended all trade with India and closed its airspace to Indian aircraft. The decision follows a sharp rise in tensions after a deadly incident in Indian-administered Kashmir, which has once again placed the spotlight on the fragile relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The announcement, made by government officials in Islamabad, marks one of the most severe diplomatic and economic responses in recent years. Pakistan’s government stated that the suspension applies to all forms of trade — including direct exchanges and goods passing through third-party nations. Indian aircraft, including both passenger and cargo flights, will also no longer be permitted to pass through Pakistani airspace.
This escalation comes in the wake of a deadly attack in the Kashmir region that claimed the lives of more than two dozen civilians. India has blamed a militant group it says operates from within Pakistani territory, accusations Pakistan has strongly denied. Officials in Islamabad condemned the violence but also rejected what they called a “rush to judgment” from New Delhi.
Beyond trade and airspace restrictions, Pakistan has taken other diplomatic steps, including expelling senior Indian diplomats and putting key agreements under review. The 1972 Simla Agreement, which has served as the foundation for peace talks over the decades, has been put on hold.
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Pakistan has also voiced deep concerns over India’s decision to halt cooperation on the Indus Waters Treaty — an agreement that has governed the shared use of crucial river systems for over 60 years.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry warned that any attempt by India to divert river water could be considered a provocation. “We are committed to peace, but we will protect our rights and our people,” a spokesperson said during a Thursday briefing.
International reactions have been swift, with the United Nations and several foreign governments urging restraint and a return to dialogue. Diplomatic analysts warn that a further breakdown in relations could have wide-reaching consequences not just for the region, but also for global trade and security.
