The United States has identified 23 countries, including India, China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, as major drug-producing or drug-trafficking nations.
Former US President Donald Trump made this declaration in an official notification to the US Congress, as reported by PTI.
His annual statement raised concerns about global drug trafficking, especially the spread of synthetic opioids, which he described as a serious threat to US national security and public health. This list is commonly known as the Majors List.
Trump strongly criticized five countries—Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia, and Venezuela—for not following international drug control agreements in 2024.
Which Countries Are on the List?
According to PTI, the US State Department clarified that being on this list does not mean a country’s drug policies or cooperation with the US are in question.
Instead, it reflects the geographical and economic conditions that allow illegal drugs to be produced or transported through those countries—regardless of whether drugs are legal there.
From Asia, the countries on this list include:
India
China
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Burma (Myanmar)
Five Countries Are Under Special Scrutiny
The full list includes countries from Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean, such as Colombia, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Costa Rica.
But among the 23, the US specifically targeted five nations—accusing them of failing to meet international standards on drug control.
Afghanistan received the harshest criticism. While the Taliban claims to have banned opium and other illegal drugs, US officials say drug production continues, especially of methamphetamine, often linked to heroin smuggling.
Trump stated that drug revenues are not only enriching criminals but are also funding terrorism.
A State of Emergency in the US
Trump linked the issue of international drug trafficking to the opioid crisis in the US, which has been declared a national emergency.
Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are now the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 44.
The US government says stopping the supply chain of these drugs—especially from China and other source countries—is essential to saving lives.
Trump stressed the need for strong international cooperation to tackle the crisis.
India and China Also Under the Radar
India has been flagged as a transit country from which illegal drugs are entering the United States and other nations.
Meanwhile, China has been named the biggest supplier of chemical ingredients used to make fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other new synthetic opioids like nitazine.
Trump urged China to take strong and consistent action against drug producers and traffickers to curb the flow of deadly substances into the US.
