Kovind Warns Illicit Trade Is Exploiting Legitimate Supply Chains

Smuggling means moving illegal goods, while counterfeiting means making fake versions of real products.

Ram Nath Kovind said these activities weaken the trust needed for businesses and economies to work.

Illegal groups are now using normal delivery systems, paperwork, money channels and online platforms to hide what they are doing.

This can hurt shoppers, honest businesses and government services.

Technology such as data analysis and artificial intelligence may help find suspicious activity.

However, officials said technology cannot solve the problem by itself.

Governments, companies, enforcement agencies and consumers must share information and work together.

The conference said stopping illegal goods before they enter markets is as important as seizing them afterward.