Attari border closed: How it will impact trade with Pakistan

India has delivered an financial blow to Pakistan after the lethal terrorist assault on vacationers in Pahalgam that claimed 28 lives, saying the speedy closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari.The resolution was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security and was introduced by overseas secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday.
“Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 1st May 2025,” mentioned Misri, clarifying that the route will stay open for returnees just for a restricted time.
Attari, situated simply 28 kilometres from Amritsar, is India’s first Land Port and the one permitted land route for trade with Pakistan. Spread throughout 120 acres and immediately related to nationwide highway-I, the examine submit has performed a vital function in cross-border trade, notably in imports from Afghanistan.
The Attari-Wagah hall has witnessed fluctuating figures in trade and passenger motion through the years. In 2023-24, the land port recorded trade value Rs 3,886.53 crore with 6,871 cargo actions and 71,563 passenger crossings.
The Attari Land Port has lengthy served as a essential trade conduit between India and Pakistan, dealing with quite a lot of items. Key Indian exports by way of the route embrace soybean, rooster feed, greens, crimson chilies, plastic dana, and plastic yarn. On the opposite facet, imports from Pakistan and past have largely comprised dry fruits, dry dates, gypsum, cement, glass, rock salt, and numerous herbs. The closure of the port is predicted to considerably impact the motion of those items, notably affecting small merchants and producers who depend on this cross-border trade.
However, volumes have usually declined since 2018-19, reflecting ongoing tensions and disruptions.
Rising tensions between India and Pakistan are set to deal one more blow to an already fragile and faltering buying and selling relationship. The resolution is predicted to have an effect on small merchants and industries who depend on these each day use objects as a method of bread profitable.
Moreover, Afghan imports into India and vice versa, lots of which move by way of Pakistan through this route, might also face logistical challenges.