'India, China, Pak are illicit drug-producing nations'

The United States has designated India, China, and Pakistan as "major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries" for fiscal year 2027. This decision, outlined in a presidential determination submitted to Congress, covers 23 countries. The inclusion does not necessarily reflect the governments' current counternarcotics efforts or cooperation with the U.S. Rather, it is based on factors such as geographic, commercial, and economic conditions that enable drugs or precursor chemicals to be produced or transported through their territories.

India, which has been named among the 23 countries, was acknowledged by the U.S. for its efforts to combat illicit opium poppy cultivation and strengthen supply-chain integrity. The U.S. is expected to continue cooperation with India through the US-India Drug Policy Framework.

China is listed alongside India, with the determination highlighting its role in producing precursor chemicals used in illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. The U.S. urged China to take more aggressive action, including scheduling additional chemical precursors and substances sought by the U.S.

Pakistan, although not separately designated as failing to meet counternarcotics obligations, is also among the 23 countries listed. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, and Colombia have been separately identified as countries that failed demonstrably to meet their international counternarcotics obligations during the previous 12 months. Assistance to Bolivia, Burma, and Colombia is deemed vital to the U.S.'s national interests.