Washington: Even though Washington has again placed India on its list of major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries for fiscal year 2027, US President Donald Trump has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for its efforts to tackle illegal opium cultivation in the country.
The Presidential Determination submitted to the US Congress on September 15 names 23 countries, including India, China and Pakistan.
I look forward to continued cooperation through the United States-India Drug Policy Framework,” he said. The list also includes Afghanistan, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and several countries in Central and South America. “I welcome Prime Minister Modi and the Government of India’s efforts to address illicit opium poppy cultivation and bolster supply chain integrity. However, Washington makes clear that appearing on the list does not mean that a government has failed to control illegal drugs.
Why India is still on US list
Because of a combination of geographic, commercial and economic factors that allow drugs or precursor chemicals to be produced or transported through their territory, the US determination says countries are included.
A country can therefore appear on the list even when its government is carrying out “robust and diligent” narcotics-control and law-enforcement measures. Trump described the progress made by his administration as “historic”. He said stronger border controls has helped cut seizures of fentanyl and other drugs entering the United States through the southern border by more than half.
The presidential determination also gave the US president an opportunity to list out his administration’s campaign against drug trafficking and narcoterrorist groups.
