A recent intelligence report from the U.S. warns that India is becoming a significant player in the illicit fentanyl trade. This finding is likely to cause concern in New Delhi, especially as President Trump imposes tariffs on nations he deems insufficient in curbing the flow of this lethal drug into the United States.
Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, is known to be up to 100 times stronger than morphine and is the leading drug contributing to overdose fatalities in the country, according to a report from CNN.
This crisis has become a top priority for the Trump administration.
Historically, China has been the primary supplier of both legal fentanyl products and illegal precursor chemicals, which are typically processed in Mexican labs before being smuggled into the U.S.
However, the 2025 Annual Threat Assessment (ATA) released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence this month indicates that India’s involvement in the illegal fentanyl trade is on the rise.
The report notes, “Nonstate groups are often supported, both directly and indirectly, by state actors like China and India, which provide precursors and equipment to drug traffickers.”
While China remains the leading source of illicit fentanyl chemicals and pill-pressing gear, India is identified as a significant secondary source.
Last year’s ATA also recognized India as one of the countries—alongside China—where Mexican cartels are sourcing precursor chemicals, albeit to a lesser extent.
With its role as a global leader in generic drug production and a major supplier of vaccines and pharmaceuticals, India’s entry into this nefarious trade raises serious red flags.
