Ending MFN status for Pakistan an unprecedented move, say trade officials

Revoking the MFN status India granted to Pakistan back in 1996 has been argued as a plausible way of sending a strong message to the country.

With India exploring every possible way to respond to Pakistan in the wake of the horrific terror attack in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel, Commerce Department officials said the country was within its rights to launch an economic offensive against its neighbour and revoke Pakistan’s Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status. 

India has considered revoking Pakistan’s MFN status twice — after the attacks at Uri and Pathankot. Now, New Delhi is also considering suspending trade ties with Pakistan, officials said.

According to government officials, India is not even required to inform the World Trade Organisation