India Mulls Airspace and Port Ban on Pakistan Amid Rising Tensions
In response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India is actively considering shutting down its airspace to Pakistani airlines and banning Pakistani ships from docking at Indian ports. The move, according to top government sources, is a part of a larger set of retaliatory measures aimed at sending a strong message to Islamabad.
The April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, allegedly carried out by Pakistan-based militants, resulted in the death of 26 civilians and reignited tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. In the aftermath, officials familiar with the situation stated that Indian authorities are seriously evaluating the closure of airspace, which would significantly disrupt Pakistani airlines’ international routes, forcing them to detour via countries like China or Sri Lanka.
Reports indicate that some Pakistani carriers have already started avoiding Indian airspace, possibly as a preemptive measure against possible retaliatory steps. Additionally, the Indian government is also weighing the option of banning Pakistani maritime vessels from entering Indian ports—a decision that could further escalate the situation.
India has already initiated a series of strong diplomatic and economic actions. It has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, making its resumption conditional on Pakistan halting support for cross-border terrorism. Authorities have closed the Integrated Check Post at the Attari-Wagah border and revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals. The travel exemption under the SAARC scheme has also been terminated for Pakistanis.
Moreover, India has withdrawn its Defence, Navy, and Air Force advisors from its High Commission in Islamabad and declared Pakistan’s military attachés in New Delhi as persona non grata. Bilateral trade between the two countries has come to a complete halt, affecting various sectors, including textiles and pharmaceuticals.
In retaliation, Pakistan has shut its airspace to Indian airlines, cancelled all visas issued to Indian nationals, and suspended trade ties. Islamabad has strongly denied involvement in the Pahalgam attack and criticized India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistani officials warned that any attempts to divert water allocated to Pakistan would be treated as an “act of war,” prompting a full-spectrum response.
As the situation develops, international observers are urging restraint from both sides to avoid further escalation in an already fragile region.
