The text of the following statement was released by the Government of the United States of America and the Government of India on the occasion of the Third India-U.S. Drug Enforcement Task Force.
The Narcotics Control Bureau, India (NCB) hosted the third India-U.S. Counter Narcotics Working Group (CNWG) in New Delhi, India on July 7-8, 2022. Mr. Satya Narayan Pradhan, Director General, NCB led the Indian delegation, Mr. Kemp Chester, Senior Advisor to the Director of National Drug Control Policy at the White House led the US delegation. The American delegation was led by senior officials of the State Department and the Department of Justice. Representatives from relevant agencies responsible for law enforcement, policy development, drug demand reduction, and other drug-related matters participated in discussions on wide-ranging issues related to drug demand, drug trafficking, regulatory and control efforts, and enforcement cooperation and criminal investigations.
The two sides signed an Amended Letter of Agreement (ALOA) on Drug Control and Law Enforcement Cooperation between India and the US. During the meeting, both sides presented an overview of the prevailing drug trafficking scenario in their respective countries and exchanged updates on current efforts to prevent drug trafficking and save lives. They also discussed the coordination of law enforcement, regulatory matters and the possibilities of bilateral cooperation in multilateral forums. Recognizing that drug trafficking and related crimes originating in the region can pose a major threat, the two sides have decided to increase coordination and exchange of information on this matter.
India and the United States have agreed to bring drug demand reduction topics under the auspices of the CNWG. The two sides also agreed to work together to combat the exploitation of unregulated chemicals and pharmaceuticals diverted by drug trafficking networks, and to share best practices to monitor the use of unregulated chemicals in drug production.
The two sides discussed closer cooperation in information sharing and capacity building in the fight against drug trafficking and related crime. Recognizing the importance of bilateral capacity building to combat cross-border drug trafficking, the United States will conduct training programs for Indian drug enforcement agencies on the trafficking of fentanyl and related synthetic opioids.
The United States will host the next CNWG in 2023.
