US President Donald Trump has named India, Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan among 23 countries designated as major drug producers or transit points in Washington&rsquo;s latest assessment of global narcotics flows. The &ldquo;Major&rsquo;s List,&rdquo; submitted to Congress, highlights nations playing a significant role in trafficking that threatens American lives.
Along with these four, the list includes Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, The Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Burma, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Laos, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru. The White House clarified that inclusion does not necessarily indicate a lack of cooperation, but reflects geographic and economic factors that make trafficking possible.
Five countries, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia, and Venezuela, were classified as having failed to meet international counter-narcotics obligations. The US accused the Taliban of profiting from the drug trade despite its declared ban, while Colombia was criticised for record coca cultivation and Venezuela for being a hub of cocaine trafficking.
China drew the sharpest criticism, identified as the largest source of precursor chemicals for fentanyl and other synthetic drugs flowing through Mexico into the US. Washington accused Beijing of failing to curb chemical exports that fuel the opioid crisis.
Trump linked these international flows to America&rsquo;s domestic emergency, noting that fentanyl and related drugs are now the leading cause of death for adults aged 18 to 44. In 2024, the US averaged over 200 drug overdose deaths daily, with surveys showing more than 40 per cent of Americans know someone who has lost their life to opioids.
India, though not accused of failing in its obligations, continues to feature on the list as both a transit route and a source of certain precursor chemicals. While the US has acknowledged New Delhi as a partner in counter-narcotics cooperation, its inclusion underscores Washington&rsquo;s expectation of stronger action against trafficking networks operating through South Asia.
Trump also pointed to stepped-up cooperation with Mexico under President Claudia Sheinbaum, citing the deployment of 10,000 National Guard troops at the border and the extradition of cartel suspects. However, he warned that countries failing to act decisively against the narcotics trade would face serious consequences.

US warns 23 nations on narcotics trade; India flagged as transit and production hub

Trump Lists India in Global Drug Report

US warns 23 nations on narcotics trade; India flagged as transit and production hub

September 18, 2025 | 10:18 IST