Trade relations between India and Pakistan have always had their share of ups and downs. But lately, a curious trend has emerged—Pakistan continues to import goods from India through various indirect channels, even though India hasn’t shown much interest in reviving bilateral trade ties.

After the Pulwama attack in 2019 and India’s removal of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, official trade between the two neighbours came to a halt. However, that hasn’t stopped Pakistan from buying Indian products. Many of these goods now make their way through third-party countries like the UAE, Singapore, or Malaysia before reaching Pakistani markets.

From medicines and textiles to essential raw materials, Indian products are still in demand across Pakistan. Traders and industries there argue that these goods are more affordable and better in quality than alternatives. This silent dependence continues to grow, even though New Delhi hasn’t taken any step toward restoring formal trade channels.

On the other hand, India seems to be taking a more strategic stance. With a larger economy and a wide range of global trade partners, India hasn’t felt the need to re-engage economically with Pakistan just yet.

This one-sided trade dynamic raises an interesting question: Can economic needs push both nations towards practical cooperation in the future, even when political relations remain strained?