US President Donald Trump has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for its efforts to stop illegal opium cultivation in India and improve the reliability of supply chains. The recognition comes as the United States prepares to keep India on its list of major countries linked to illicit drug production or transit for 2027.
A US State Department statement said Trump welcomed the work by Modi and the Indian government to counter illegal opium farming. Washington also said it wanted to continue working with New Delhi through the US-India Drug Policy Framework.
Why India remains on the US list
India has been placed on the 2027 list alongside 20 other countries. The countries named in the report include Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela.
US officials clarified that being included on the list does not mean the government concerned has failed to take action against illegal drugs. They said geography, economic conditions and trade circumstances can contribute to a country becoming a transit route or production area, even when authorities are working against narcotics.
That explanation places the listing alongside the US acknowledgement of India’s efforts. The American statement both recognised action against illegal opium cultivation and identified India as a country connected to major illicit drug production or transit for the coming year.
Trump’s wider drug policy claims
Trump described his administration’s action against drug cartels and narco-terrorist networks as historic progress. He said tighter control on the US southern border had resulted in a reduction of more than half in drug seizures.
The US president also claimed that deaths from drug overdoses in the United States had fallen sharply. He said several narco-terrorists linked to the drug trade had been killed, imprisoned or were living under fear of US law.
Trump further said the US military had been given authority to act directly against narco-terrorist threats located outside the country.
India-US cooperation on drugs
The US-India Drug Policy Framework is set to remain the channel for continued cooperation between the 2 countries, according to the American statement. The immediate focus identified in the statement is action against illegal opium cultivation and stronger supply-chain reliability.
The combination of praise and continued listing means the 2 positions are not being presented by Washington as contradictory. India’s inclusion reflects its classification in relation to drug production or transit, while the praise recognises measures taken by its government against illegal opium and related supply-chain concerns.
Conclusion
Washington has praised Modi’s government for action against illegal opium cultivation while retaining India on its 2027 list of major drug-producing or transit countries. The US says cooperation with India will continue through the US-India Drug Policy Framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What did Donald Trump praise India for?
Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for efforts to stop illegal opium cultivation and strengthen supply-chain reliability.
Q. Will India remain on the US drug list for 2027?
Yes. India has been included on the US list of major countries linked to illicit drug production or transit for 2027.
Q. How many other countries are on the list with India?
The list places India alongside 20 other countries.
Q. Does being on the list mean India failed to fight drugs?
No. US officials said inclusion does not mean that a government has failed to combat illegal drugs.
Q. How will the US and India continue cooperation?
The United States said cooperation would continue through the US-India Drug Policy Framework.
Q. What did Trump say about drug seizures in the United States?
He said drug seizures had fallen by more than half after tighter control on the US southern border.
Q. What did Trump claim about drug overdose deaths?
Trump claimed that deaths from drug overdoses in the United States had declined sharply.
Q. Which countries were named alongside India?
The named countries included Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela.
