India suspends all maritime links with Pakistan, bans Pakistani ships from ports

New Delhi: India on Saturday suspended all navigational links with Pakistan, announcing that no ship bearing a Pakistani flag will be permitted to enter any Indian port. Additionally, no Indian-flagged aircraft or vessel will travel to any port in Pakistan, officials said.

The Directorate General of Shipping, based in Mumbai, issued an order citing Section 411 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, to enforce the directive. The section allows the government to take measures in the national interest and ensure the safety of life at sea and the protection of Indian merchant shipping.

“In view of the current situation and under the powers conferred by Section 411, a ship bearing the flag of Pakistan shall not be allowed to enter any Indian port,” the order said. It added that these steps were necessary to protect Indian goods, infrastructure and shipping interests.

The order clarified that any exemption or relief from the ban would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.