NEW DELHI: India has suspended trade across its disputed Kashmir borderwith Pakistan, alleging that weapons and drugs are being smuggled acrossthe route, as tensions simmer between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
Kashmir has been on edge since a February suicide attack that killed 40Indian paramilitaries and brought the two countries to the brink of warwith cross-border air strikes.
On Thursday, India’s government, which is in the middle of a tough nationalelection, claimed it had reports that trade on the border was being misusedfor funneling illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency.
The home ministry said trade would be suspended until a stricter inspectionmechanism is in place.
The cross-border trade is based on a barter system, with traders exchanginggoods including chillies, cumin, mango and dried fruit.
It began in 2008 as a way to improve strained relations between New Delhiand Islamabad, who have fought two of their three wars over the disputedregion.
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The Indian Express newspaper said Friday that 35 trucks carrying fruittravelling from the Indian side of the border had been stopped after thegovernment order.
The latest move comes after India withdrew “Most Favoured Nation Status” —covering trade links — from Pakistan after the February attack.
Islamabad has denied any involvement in the attack.
