Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Trump Praises Modi as US Names India Drug Transit Nation
The United States made a list of 23 countries linked to illegal drug production or transportation.
India, China and Pakistan were among the countries named for fiscal year 2027.
President Donald Trump still praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fighting illegal opium poppy growing.
Trump said the United States and India should continue working together on drug policy.
The United States also criticized China for producing many chemicals used to make dangerous illegal drugs.
China has added some licensing rules for exporting certain chemicals, but criminals have found ways around them.
Being placed on the list does not automatically mean a country’s government is failing to fight drugs.
The United States separately said Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma and Colombia had failed to meet international counternarcotics responsibilities.
The United States listed India, China and Pakistan among 23 major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries for fiscal year 2027.
Donald Trump praised Narendra Modi and India for addressing illicit opium poppy cultivation and strengthening supply-chain integrity.
The United States said China remains the world’s largest producer of many precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl, methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs.
Trump said China introduced licensing requirements for some precursor chemical exports, but criminals continue to evade controls using unregulated substances.
The determination said inclusion does not necessarily reflect a government’s counternarcotics efforts, while Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma and Colombia were separately designated as having failed demonstrably to meet international obligations.
- Who
- The United States, Donald Trump, Narendra Modi, India, China and Pakistan are central to the determination.
- What
- The United States identified 23 countries as major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries while praising India’s counternarcotics efforts.
- When
- The determination was submitted to Congress on September 15 and released by the US Department of State on Wednesday for fiscal year 2027.
- Where
- The determination was issued by the United States and covers countries in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Why
- Countries were listed because geographic, commercial or economic factors allow drugs or precursor chemicals to be produced or transported through their territories.
US Drug-Control Concerns
Government Efforts and Cooperation
Meaning of the designation
US Drug-Control Concerns
The United States identified countries whose geographic, commercial or economic conditions enable drug production or transit.
Government Efforts and Cooperation
The determination says countries can remain on the list even when their governments take substantial narcotics-control and law-enforcement measures.
India’s inclusion
US Drug-Control Concerns
India was named among the major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries for fiscal year 2027.
Government Efforts and Cooperation
Trump said India’s inclusion did not reflect poorly on its law-enforcement coordination or counternarcotics record and praised Modi’s efforts.
China’s precursor chemicals
US Drug-Control Concerns
The United States said China produces many chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl, methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs and should take stronger action.
Government Efforts and Cooperation
China introduced export-licensing requirements for designated precursor chemicals sent to North America, although the United States said criminals continue to evade the controls.
- Countries listed
- The United States identified 23 major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries.
- Asian countries named
- India, China and Pakistan were included on the list.
- India’s efforts
- Donald Trump welcomed efforts to address illicit opium poppy cultivation and strengthen supply-chain integrity.
- China’s role
- The United States said China is the world’s largest producer of many precursor chemicals used in illicit synthetic-drug production.
- Chemical controls
- China introduced licensing requirements for companies exporting designated precursor chemicals to North America, but criminals continue to evade controls.
- Separate failure designation
- Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma and Colombia were designated as having failed demonstrably to meet international counternarcotics obligations.
- Meaning of inclusion
- Listing does not necessarily reflect a government’s current counterdrug efforts or cooperation with Washington.
