Closure of Pakistan route is likely to affect export of many Indian products

07-May-2025 08:56 PM

Amritsar. Previously, several Indian products were transported to Afghanistan via Pakistan and from there exported to other countries, but this route has been shut down following India’s strike on terrorist bases in Pakistan.

The Wagah-Attari border has already been closed. As a result, Indian exporters will now be forced to use longer alternative routes, increasing shipping costs.

The closure of the Pakistan route is expected to impact exports of Indian spices, dry fruits, oilseeds, and related products. This includes turmeric, cumin, coriander, fennel, cardamom, cashew, groundnut, copra (coconut), Kabuli gram, other pulses, sugar, and oil mill products.

These goods have strong demand in West Asia and the Gulf region. With the Pakistan-Afghanistan route no longer accessible, reaching countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and former Soviet republics will become more difficult.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have reached a peak, raising the risk of further conflict. In such a scenario, using the Pakistan corridor for trade has become unfeasible.

The resulting longer shipping paths will increase transport costs and lower exporter profit margins. Many importers may now reconsider or cancel their trade deals. India conducted a surgical strike on Pakistan on the night of May 6, resulting in the deaths of multiple terrorists.