The US Embassy in New Delhi issued a statement on Thursday (September 18) announcing the revocation and rejection of visas for some Indian business executives and corporate leaders, citing their involvement in the smuggling of fentanyl precursors.
Fentanyl precursors refer to the basic or parent chemical substances needed to manufacture fentanyl, a drug that has led to the deaths of many Americans due to overdose.
The statement from the US Embassy did not name the individuals affected, but a spokesperson confirmed that they are all Indian nationals.
The US Embassy stated that Indian government officials are working closely with their American counterparts to address the serious challenges posed by drug trafficking.
President Trump has previously imposed tariffs on imported goods from China, Mexico, and Canada, accusing these countries of facilitating the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
In a statement submitted to the US Congress this week, Trump included India among 23 key transit or illicit drug-producing countries. However, he clarified that the inclusion of any country on that list does not necessarily reflect the efforts of its government in combating drug trafficking.
(This article was referenced from a report by Reuters)