Pakistan’s imports from India have risen to the same volume they reached before the 2019 conflict, even though the two neighbours do not have a formal trade relationship. The resurgence of cross‑border purchases is prompting analysts to wonder whether the long‑standing tension between the two countries could be easing.
India and Pakistan have been at odds for decades, and formal trade was suspended after the 2019 Pulwama attack and subsequent military escalation. Since then, official channels have remained closed, but commercial links have persisted through indirect routes and third‑party intermediaries.
Recent customs data show that the value of Pakistani imports sourced from India has climbed back to pre‑war levels. While the figures are not broken down in the source, the trend indicates that goods are flowing across the border in quantities comparable to those before the suspension of formal trade.
Business sources suggest that the revival is driven by practical considerations: Indian products often offer lower prices or specific qualities that Pakistani firms need, and the geographical proximity reduces transport costs. These market forces appear to be outweighing the political barriers that have kept the two economies officially apart.
Economists note that the de‑facto trade could be a sign of a tentative thaw, but they caution that no official diplomatic breakthrough has been announced. Both governments continue to maintain their respective positions on broader political disputes.
Whether the current level of informal commerce will translate into a formalised trade agreement remains uncertain, leaving regional observers to watch closely for any further shifts in Indo‑Pakistani relations.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>
