Before the festival, India approved banks to import gold and silver, eliminating obstacles to the clearance of precious metals.

According to reports, the Indian government has approved banks to import gold and silver. Previous policy chaos resulted in precious metals being stranded at customs, and with only a few days left before an important Indian festival, purchasing gold and silver during this time is considered auspicious. According to reports, the Indian government listed the banks permitted to import gold and silver in an announcement released on Friday. Surendra Mehta, the National Secretary of the Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association, stated that this notification resolves the import blockage issue. Due to weak demand, the price of gold in India continues to weaken. Earlier reports stated that Indian banks had suspended ordering new gold and silver from overseas suppliers. Over 5 tons of gold and approximately 8 tons of silver were stuck at customs due to the Indian government's delay in issuing formal gold and silver import permits. Economist Madhavi Arora from Emkay Global Financial Services Ltd. stated that this situation seems unintentional, "not a complete gold ban, but just a temporary glitch and administrative delay". India is the world's second-largest consumer of gold and the largest buyer of silver, heavily relying on imports to meet demand. In India, gold purchases are closely tied to religious festivals and weddings. For example, festivals like Akshaya Tritiya (April 19) lead to a surge in gold demand as families purchase gold jewelry, coins, and bars for cultural and investment purposes. However, in recent months, high prices have suppressed consumer desire to buy, leading to a slowdown in gold consumption in India. The World Gold Council's data shows that India's gold consumption in 2025 has dropped to 710.9 tons, the lowest level in five years.