Article – India Fueling the Drug Trade? | Trump Puts India, China, Pakistan on Global Major Drug List

Jai Siya Ram

What was announced

U.S. President Donald Trump submitted a “Presidential Determination” to Congress identifying 23 countries as major drug transit or illicit drug-producing nations. Frequently named among them are India, Pakistan, China, as well as Afghanistan, Myanmar, etc.
The list includes countries involved in either producing illicit narcotics, trafficking them, or serving as transit routes, or supplying chemicals / equipment used to manufacture synthetic drugs.
Trump’s statement to Congress frames it as a threat to U.S. safety and public health, especially given the opioid/fentanyl crisis.

Not necessarily an accusation of wrongdoing by the government: The U.S. Department of State has clarified that being included does not automatically mean that a country has failed in counternarcotics efforts. Instead, the listing often reflects geographic, economic, or commercial factors that make illicit production or trafficking possible.
“Failed demonstrably” subset: A few countries are singled out for having not made sufficient effort during the past year to curb narcotics production or trafficking. These are Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia, and Venezuela. The others, including India, China, Pakistan, are not in that “failed demonstrably” group (at least not in this announcement) but are named due to risk / transit / supply vulnerabilities.

Precursor chemicals & equipment:
China is described by the U.S. as the largest source globally for precursor chemicals used in fentanyl production and also for pill-pressing equipment. India is said to follow China in this regard — supplying precursors and/or equipment used by non-state actors / traffickers.
Transit routes & geography:
Some of the concern is that narcotics and precursor chemicals find pathways through these countries (by land, air, or sea) making them transit hubs or pieces of the supply chain. The U.S. therefore sees geographic and commercial conditions as contributing factors.
Public health & overdose epidemic:
The fentanyl crisis in the U.S. (synthetic opioids causing many deaths) is driving a lot of the urgency. The U.S. intelligence community’s “Annual Threat Assessment” (ATA) says these precursor chemicals from China and India are fueling the problem.

From India: Mixed. Officials typically respond by emphasizing that being on the list does not mean being accused of deliberate negligence. They often point out cooperation with U.S. and enforcement of domestic laws. Also express concern about being lumped together with countries seen as having more serious anti-drug failures.
International observers: Some analysts see this as part of U.S. diplomacy to pressure countries to tighten control over chemical supplies, drug regulations, and pharmaceutical exports. Others see risk of trade tensions, especially if the U.S. uses the listing to impose tariffs or sanctions.
China and Pakistan similarly are under scrutiny, especially China for precursor chemicals, and Pakistan for transit trafficking, though the degree of public data and allegations vary.

Likely greater U.S. scrutiny of pharmaceutical / chemical exports out of India, Pakistan, China. Could lead to tighter inspections, export controls, etc.
Potential for diplomatic friction: Being on this list can have reputational impact, could affect trade or foreign aid or cooperation arrangements.
Domestic enforcement pressure in those countries: governments may have to tighten regulation, labs, chemical factories, track supply chains.
Risk of over-generalization: There’s concern that being on the list might be used in policy moves (tariffs, restrictions) even when a country is making sincere enforcement efforts.