Washington: United States President Donald Trump has identified India, Pakistan, and China among 23 major drug-producing or drug-transit nations, stating that these countries pose a threat to the safety of the US and its citizens.
In a presidential determination submitted to the US Congress on Monday, Trump designated the 23 countries as “major drug transit or major illicit drug producing” nations, signalling their responsibility in sourcing and transporting illicit drugs into the United States. The document, however, did not provide specific reasons for including India on the list.
The other nations identified are Afghanistan, the Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
According to the US State Department, a country’s inclusion on the list does not necessarily reflect its government’s counter-narcotics efforts or its level of cooperation with the United States. “The reason countries are placed on the list is the combination of geographic, commercial, and economic factors that allow drugs or precursor chemicals to be transited or produced, even if a government has engaged in robust and diligent narcotics control and law enforcement measures,” the statement said.
However, five countries—Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia, and Venezuela—were noted as having “failed demonstrably to make substantial efforts” over the past year. Washington urged these nations to strengthen their counter-narcotics measures.
The report highlighted China’s role as the “world’s largest source” of precursor chemicals driving illicit fentanyl production, which has been “well documented.” Precursor chemicals are substances used to manufacture other compounds, including illegal drugs. The US also noted China as a “major supplier fuelling global epidemics” of synthetic narcotics, including nitazenes and methamphetamine, and called on Beijing to take stronger, sustained action to curb chemical flows and prosecute the criminals facilitating them.
Regarding Afghanistan, the Trump administration observed that, despite the Taliban’s ban on illegal drugs, drug stockpiles and ongoing production continue to feed international markets. “Revenue from this drug trade funds transnational criminal groups and supports international terrorists,” Trump said.
Earlier in March, the US had named India and China as “state actors” facilitating both the direct and indirect supply of precursor chemicals and equipment used by drug traffickers, as well as being primary sources for illicit fentanyl.