The Indian government has suspended all inbound mail and parcel exchanges from Pakistan, further escalating tensions between the two neighbors following a recent surge in hostilities.
In a statement released Saturday, India’s Ministry of Communication announced a blanket halt on postal deliveries arriving from Pakistan via both air and surface transport. The suspension is effective immediately and applies to all categories of mail and parcels.
Authorities have yet to clarify whether the measure will also impact outbound deliveries from India to Pakistan or how long the suspension will remain in effect.
This latest move follows a series of retaliatory actions by New Delhi in response to a deadly terrorist attack earlier this month that killed several tourists in the Indian-administered region of Kashmir—a territory claimed in full by both countries. India has blamed the attack on Pakistan-based militants, a charge Islamabad denies.
In the days following the attack, India banned the import of all goods either originating from or transiting through Pakistan. The government also barred Pakistan-flagged vessels from docking at Indian ports, citing heightened national security concerns.
“These decisions have been taken in the interest of national security and public welfare,” a government spokesperson said, emphasizing the need to safeguard Indian infrastructure, cargo, and shipping operations.
India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed states, have fought multiple wars and have a long history of strained diplomatic relations, particularly over Kashmir. The region remains a flashpoint, with frequent cross-border skirmishes and a heavily militarized line of control dividing the two sides.
While India has not officially severed diplomatic ties, the cumulative measures mark a significant deterioration in bilateral relations. Analysts warn that the disruption of postal and trade services could have wider implications for people-to-people connections and cross-border families that rely on such services.
Pakistan has not yet issued a formal response to the postal suspension. However, diplomatic observers say the rising friction is likely to lead to further retaliatory steps from Islamabad, potentially affecting cross-border cooperation in other areas.
With communication channels narrowing and trade relations all but frozen, hopes for a near-term thaw in ties between the two countries appear increasingly dim.
