US President Donald Trump on Wednesday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts against opium production, even as India remains designated on the US list of “major illicit drug producing or drug transit” countries.
“I welcome Prime Minister Modi and the Government of India’s efforts to address illicit opium poppy cultivation and bolster supply chain integrity. The US clarified that being on the list does not mean a government has failed to fight drugs. I look forward to continued cooperation through the United States-India Drug Policy Framework,” read an official statement by the US.
Because of geographic, commercial, and economic factors that make them natural transit or production hubs, even if their governments have strict and active anti-narcotics enforcement in place, instead, countries are included.
I look forward to continued cooperation through the United States-India Drug Policy Framework”, the US Department of State said in a statement. Trump, meanwhile, highlighted what he described as “historic progress” by his administration in tackling drug trafficking and narcoterrorist organisations. Trump claimed drug seizures along the US southern border had dropped by more than half after what he called four years of “open border chaos”. He also said drug overdose deaths had “plunged” and claimed that the administration had saved tens of thousands of American lives. Earlier reporting noted: Trump welcomes PM Modi’s efforts against opium as India among US’ list of ‘major illicit drug producing countries’ United States President Donald Trump welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts against opium cultivation as India was among the US’ list of “major illicit drug producing countries” on Wednesday. It said that the countries have been placed on the list “due to a combination of geographic, commercial, and economic factors that allow drugs or precursor chemicals to transit or be produced, even if a government has engaged in robust and diligent narcotics control and law enforcement measures”.
Earlier reporting noted: However, the US clarified that mere inclusion in the list was not a reflection of the respective government’s efforts against drugs.
“The narcoterrorists responsible for this invasion are either dead, in jail, or living in fear knowing they will be next to face American justice,” Trump said. The Republican leader said that US military is “unleashed” to strike narcoterrorists if they threaten America.
