American authorities withdraw visa privileges for Indian business leaders due to suspected connections with fentanyl trafficking.
The US embassy in New Delhi, India, has taken a significant step in its efforts to combat drug trafficking. On Thursday, the embassy announced that it has revoked visas for some Indian business executives and corporate leaders due to their involvement in the trafficking of fentanyl precursors.
The affected individuals are Indian nationals, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the US embassy. The embassy's statement did not disclose the names of the people affected, citing privacy concerns.
This action is part of a broader initiative by the US government to address the issue of drug trafficking, particularly involving fentanyl precursors, which are the basic or parent chemicals that form fentanyl, a leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States.
The US President, Donald Trump, has been vocal about his concerns regarding drug trafficking. In a statement to US Congress this week, he listed India as one of 23 major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries. However, Trump's listing of India does not necessarily reflect the counter-drug efforts of the Indian government.
Trump's tariffs on Indian imports, aimed at addressing the issue of drug trafficking, have been a source of tension in bilateral ties. The US President imposed additional tariffs on imports from India, along with China, Mexico, and Canada. He stated that these tariffs were aimed at facilitating the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
In response to a request for comment on the US visa measures from Reuters, the Indian foreign ministry did not respond. The US embassy's actions are targeting individuals involved in the trafficking of fentanyl precursors, as part of a cooperative effort with Indian government officials to combat drug trafficking.
The US embassy in New Delhi is based in India's capital city and has been working closely with the Indian government to address the issue of drug trafficking. India is one of the 23 countries listed by Trump as major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries.
It is important to note that the search results do not provide the names of the Indian CEOs and entrepreneurs who were denied or had their visas revoked by the US Embassy in New Delhi due to their involvement in the distribution of fentanyl precursors. The US embassy is cooperating closely with Indian government officials to combat drug trafficking, and this action is a testament to their commitment to addressing this global challenge.
