Despite strained relations, Pakistan has imported $1.62 billion worth of goods from India
Over the past five years, Pakistan has imported goods worth $1.62 billion from India, despite ongoing tensions between the two countries. This trade relationship continued even after diplomatic relations soured in 2019, primarily due to India’s revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status—a decision that has deeply affected bilateral relations.
Documents shared by the Commerce Ministry with the Standing Committee for Trade reveal that Pakistan imported $380 million worth of goods from India in the financial year 2019-20. The following years saw varying amounts of imports: $327 million in FY20-21, $352 million in FY21-22, $276 million in FY22-23, and $278 million in FY23-24.
The bulk of these imports were pharmaceutical raw materials essential for producing life-saving medications. Despite this significant trade, Pakistan has not exported any goods to India for the past four years.
The Pakistani government has tied the resumption of formal dialogue with India to the restoration of Kashmir’s special status, a condition that India has consistently rejected, viewing the issue as an internal matter that has been resolved.
This complex situation underscores the challenging balance between maintaining essential trade relations and navigating deeply rooted political disputes.
