Firstpost ·
Politics
Trump welcomes Modi’s anti-drug efforts as US names India, China, Pakistan among major drug transit nations
The US has included India, China and Pakistan in its FY-27 list of major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries, while Trump acknowledged New Delhi’s efforts to tackle illicit opium poppy cultivation and strengthen supply chains.
US President Donald Trump has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government’s efforts to curb illicit opium poppy cultivation and strengthen supply chain integrity, even as Washington named India, China and Pakistan among major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries for fiscal year 2027.
The annual presidential determination, submitted to the US Congress on September 15, identifies 23 countries as major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries. The US Department of State released the document on Wednesday, with India, China and Pakistan featuring on the list alongside Afghanistan, Mexico, Colombia, Myanmar and several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In the determination, Trump said he welcomed the efforts of PM Modi and the Indian government to address illicit opium poppy cultivation and bolster supply chain integrity.
“I look forward to continued cooperation through the United States-India Drug Policy Framework,” he said.
The US determination also highlighted China’s role in supplying chemicals used in the production of illicit synthetic drugs.
According to the document, China remains the world’s largest producer of many precursor chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl, methamphetamine and other deadly synthetic drugs.
Trump said he had raised the issue directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "I have raised this directly with State Chairman Xi Jinping, and last year, at my request, the PRC implemented new requirements for its companies to obtain licenses before exporting designated precursor chemicals to North America. However, criminals continue to find ways around these controls through the use of unregulated precursor chemicals. The PRC needs to take more aggressive action to effectively reduce the flow of these substances by scheduling additional chemical precursors and substances requested by the United States. This enhanced cooperation will enable timely prosecution of the criminals responsible for supplying drug traffickers with deadly precursor chemicals," he said.
Venezuela boosting anti-drug cooperation
The United States gave Venezuela a positive assessment of its cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking. Since then-president Nicolas Maduro was captured in a US raid in January, President Donald Trump has sought to revive relations with Caracas and supported interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's former vice president.
Rodriguez has effectively done Washington's bidding, opening up her country's mining, electricity and oil sectors to US-led foreign and private capital.
"In Venezuela, thanks to my Administration's arrest and removal of former illegitimate dictator and drug trafficker Nicolas Maduro, we are already seeing the results of growing cooperation with the country's interim government against cartels," Trump said in a statement.
"Given the positive steps taken under interim President Delcy Rodriguez, I have determined Venezuela should no longer be designated as having failed demonstrably to fulfil its drug control commitments."
Venezuela is among more than 20 countries on the US list of major drug-producing or transit countries.
Washington also singled out Brazil, calling it "a hub for global cocaine flows."
The US determination clarifies that a country’s inclusion on the list does not necessarily reflect its government’s current counterdrug efforts or its cooperation with Washington.
Countries are identified based on a combination of geographic, commercial and economic factors that allow drugs or precursor chemicals to be produced or transported through their territories.
The document also stated that countries can remain on the list even when their governments have undertaken substantial narcotics-control and law enforcement measures. Separately, Trump designated Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma and Colombia as having “failed demonstrably” over the previous 12 months to fulfil their international counternarcotics obligations.
The determination stated that US assistance to Bolivia, Burma and Colombia remained vital to American national interests.