Washington, Jan 27 (NationPress) The United States and India have initiated a collaborative framework aimed at enhancing cooperation in combating drug trafficking and narco-terrorism, as reported by officials.

The first session of the US-India Drug Policy Executive Working Group took place in Washington from January 20 to 21, according to a statement released by the White House on Monday.

Sara Carter, the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, kicked off the meeting. She emphasized that President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are united in their resolve to enhance security collaboration and eradicate narco-terrorism.

“The drug crisis is now a fundamental national security concern,” Carter stated. “This Executive Working Group utilizes the bilateral partnership to safeguard families while concurrently supporting legitimate businesses.”

India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, reiterated that India prioritizes the fight against the menace posed by narcotics trafficking. He highlighted the importance of addressing the diversion of precursor chemicals used in illicit drug production.

Kwatra noted that India is striving to balance rigorous enforcement with the promotion of legitimate trade, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector.

The leadership of the working group comprises Acting ONDCP Deputy Director Debbie Seguin for the US and Monika Ashish Batra, Deputy Director General of India’s Narcotics Control Bureau, for India.

Officials from both nations expressed that the group is dedicated to achieving concrete and measurable results to bolster counter-narcotics cooperation.

Both parties committed to enhancing their collaborative efforts to dismantle the illegal production and distribution of illicit drugs and their precursor chemicals, which pose a threat to communities in both nations.

The two governments underscored the necessity of a whole-of-government approach, asserting that improved coordination among agencies and across governments is essential to tackle the drug threat.

Officials also highlighted the critical nature of safeguarding the pharmaceutical supply chain. They indicated that efforts to prevent diversion should adhere to national regulations and not disrupt legitimate industries.

The meeting built on recent joint operations targeting illicit narcotics trafficking networks, as stated in the announcement.

US and Indian officials described their discussions as a testament to their shared and enduring commitment to tackling the global drug challenge.

The newly formed working group represents a broader initiative to enhance safety and public health in both countries.

This effort arises as governments around the world face escalating challenges from synthetic drugs and the misuse of precursor chemicals.

In recent years, US-India security cooperation has broadened, extending to areas such as counterterrorism and law enforcement coordination.

Efforts in counter-narcotics have increasingly become a vital aspect of this partnership, particularly as drug trafficking networks operate transnationally, intertwining with organized crime and terrorism.