India Included in US Major Drug Transit List; Washington Praises Modi Government’s Anti-Drug Efforts
23 Countries Named for FY2027; US Separately Welcomes India’s Measures Against Illicit Opium Cultivation
Washington, September 17, 2026: The United States has identified India, along with 22 other countries, as a “major drug transit or major illicit drug producing country” for Fiscal Year 2027. The Presidential Determination was submitted to the US Congress on September 15 and released by the US Department of State on September 16.
The countries listed are Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Burma, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.
Inclusion Does Not Necessarily Indicate Government Failure
The US document makes clear that a country’s inclusion on the list does not necessarily reflect its government’s current counter-drug efforts or its level of cooperation with the United States. Countries are included based on a combination of geographic, commercial and economic factors that may allow illicit drugs or precursor chemicals to transit through or be produced within their territory, even when governments are undertaking robust narcotics-control and law-enforcement measures.
Positive Reference to India
Despite India’s inclusion on the list, the Presidential Determination contains a separate positive reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India. The US President welcomed India’s efforts to tackle illicit opium poppy cultivation and strengthen supply-chain integrity.
The document also states that the United States looks forward to continued cooperation with India through the United States-India Drug Policy Framework.
Four Countries Given Separate “Failed Demonstrably” Designation
Alongside the 23-country list, the United States separately designated Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma and Colombia as having “failed demonstrably” during the previous 12 months to make substantial efforts to meet their international counternarcotics obligations and undertake required drug-control measures.
The same document states that US assistance to Bolivia, Burma and Colombia is currently considered vital to the national interests of the United States.
Focus on International Counter-Narcotics Cooperation
The determination outlines Washington’s concerns regarding international drug trafficking, illicit drug production and networks involved in the movement of precursor chemicals. It also discusses efforts by governments in different regions to combat drug trafficking and narcoterrorism.
India’s inclusion in the FY2027 list therefore comes alongside a specific acknowledgement of its counter-narcotics efforts. The US document distinguishes between being identified as a major drug transit or illicit drug-producing country and being designated as having failed demonstrably to meet international counter-drug commitments.
The Presidential Determination has been submitted to Congress and directed for publication in the Federal Register.
By Suman Munshi, IBG NEWS
