GS2 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Background
The United States has released its annual “Major Illicit Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries List”, commonly known as the Major’s List. This list identifies countries that play a significant role in the global narcotics trade—either as producers, transit hubs, or sources of precursor chemicals. India has been placed on this list primarily due to concerns over the diversion of chemical precursors used in synthesising fentanyl, a lethal synthetic opioid.
Countries Named
- 23 countries feature in the latest list.
- Nations such as Afghanistan, Bolivia, Myanmar, Colombia, and Venezuela are labeled as “failing” countries in narcotics control.
- India and China are highlighted for diversion of legitimate precursor chemicals into illegal drug markets.
What is Fentanyl?
- Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used medically as a painkiller but widely abused.
- It is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
- The drug has become the leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S.
- 57,000 deaths (Aug 2023 – Aug 2024) linked to fentanyl overdose.
- In 2022, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized 50.6 million fentanyl-laced pills—enough to kill the entire U.S. population once over.
Why is India flagged?
- India is not accused of producing fentanyl, but of being a source of precursor chemicals used in illegal synthesis abroad.
- Precursor chemicals like NPP (N-Phenethyl-4-piperidone) and 4-ANPP have legitimate industrial and pharmaceutical uses, making them difficult to regulate.
- Two Indian chemical firms—Raxuter Chemicals Pvt Ltd and Athos Chemicals—were charged in 2025 for allegedly exporting fentanyl precursors to traffickers.
- The U.S. has also revoked visas of Indian executives suspected of involvement.
Global Supply Chain of Fentanyl
| Stage | Role |
| China & India | Export precursor chemicals |
| Mexico (cartels) | Convert precursors into fentanyl in illegal labs |
| U.S. | Final destination market for consumption |
Purpose of the Major’s List
- Helps the U.S. monitor countries with high narcotics risk.
- Not necessarily a judgment of law enforcement efficiency.
- Used as a diplomatic tool to increase pressure on countries to control trafficking and chemical diversion.
India’s Challenges
- India has a large pharmaceutical and chemical industry, making it vulnerable to misuse by drug cartels.
- Needs stronger enforcement against:
- Illegal chemical diversion
- Dark web trafficking
- Shell export companies
- Must balance legitimate industrial exports with strict monitoring to avoid economic sanctions and global scrutiny.