India has been named as a “major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries” by the United States. In a ‘Presidential Determination’ submitted to Congress on Monday, US President Donald Trump listed India among 23 countries identified as major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries. Along with India, China, Afghanistan and Pakistan have also been flagged. Trump warned that the production and trafficking of narcotics and precursor chemicals from these countries pose a threat to the safety of the US and its citizens.

Trump stated that tansnational organised crime’s trafficking of fentanyl and other deadly illicit drugs into the US has created a national emergency. He mentioned the situation has triggered public health crisis and remains the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 44.

Countries on the list

The full list of countries designated as major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries include: Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Burma, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.

A press release shared by the US Department of state, read: “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.”

Trump has reaffirmed that the US will use all necessary resources to punish criminals enabling the production, transportation, and smuggling of illicit drugs across the country’s borders. He has further called on countries where these drugs originate and transit to fulfill their obligations and shut off these supplies or face serious consequences.