Washington/New Delhi, Nov 28 (LatestNewsX) – India and the United States are turning shared concerns about drug trafficking into a lasting partnership. The deepening counter‑narcotics cooperation is cracking down on transnational smuggling, safeguarding public health, and boosting economic resilience in both nations, according to a report released on Friday.
The report noted that upgrading the India‑US Counternarcotics Working Group to an annual engagement – it is now gearing up for its sixth session – has already produced significant seizures, arrests, and the dismantling of drug networks. It also laid groundwork for stricter precursor‑chemical controls and wider harm‑reduction efforts.
“India’s move to seek deeper anti‑narcotics cooperation with the US marks a strategic shift within its foreign policy — recognising that the accelerating threat from international drug networks now directly impacts both national security and societal health across borders. The operational collaboration between the two nations has intensified considerably in recent years, dismantling major transnational drug operations and fostering robust institutional mechanisms,” a report in India Narrative detailed.
“This partnership’s significance lies in its ambition to evolve from tactical interdiction to a multifaceted, forward‑thinking drug policy framework, addressing not just supply but also public health, regulatory integrity, and socio‑economic fallout,” it added.
Since the Counternarcotics Working Group was founded in 2020, India and the US have moved past simple enforcement ties, setting up yearly meetings, expanding the agenda, and enhancing information‑sharing capabilities.
“The fifth meeting, held in October 2024 in New Delhi, saw agreements to broaden collaboration, especially targeting synthetic drugs like fentanyl and amphetamine‑type stimulants, and controlling precursor chemicals. These strategic areas are critical, given India’s position as a major pharmaceuticals producer and exporter, and the global proliferation of synthetic opioids,” the report stressed.
During a weekly media briefing on Wednesday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal explained, “We have a very strong mechanism of sharing information between the United States and India, and these have resulted in key seizures and arrests. Let me also tell you that joint operations have been conducted which has led to dismantling of major transnational networks. So, it’s a very good area of cooperation and we want to further strengthen our joint fight against narcotics.”
The report emphasized that with synthetic opioids such as fentanyl spreading worldwide, sustained joint intelligence, capacity‑building, and policy frameworks can protect millions from addiction and position the two countries at the forefront of a 21st‑century drug policy model that prioritises prevention, enforcement, and treatment.
“Ultimately, this mutual commitment promises safer communities, thriving pharmaceutical sectors, and a blueprint for multilateral action against evolving threats,” it noted.
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