India Shuts Down Maritime Routes with Pakistan on This Front Too

India has closed its maritime routes with Pakistan, marking a significant escalation in its measures to diplomatically and economically isolate its neighbor. This decision follows a firm belief by the Indian government that Pakistan played a role in supporting the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

Citing Section 411 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, the Indian central government has officially prohibited maritime interactions with Pakistan. This order prevents ships bearing the Pakistani flag from entering Indian ports. In a reciprocal move, ships flying the Indian flag will also be barred from docking at Pakistani ports.

This development signals a broader strategy by India to sever all forms of engagement with Pakistan. It adds to a growing list of restrictions already imposed. India had previously closed its airspace to Pakistani aircraft and enforced commercial sanctions in earlier rounds of diplomatic fallout.

By shutting down the maritime shipping channels, India appears to be targeting Pakistan's economic infrastructure directly. This is part of a series of stringent measures designed to pressurize Pakistan through diplomatic isolation and economic hardship.