India Strengthens Anti-Drug Cooperation With US

NEW DELHI-India has strengthened its international cooperation in combating drug trafficking through bilateral agreements with 27 countries and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 19 countries, including the United States, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha on August 4.

Replying to a question by Shiv Sena MPs Naresh Ganpat Mhaske and Shrikant Shinde, Rai said the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) holds regular Director General-level and bilateral talks on drug-related matters with Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore and the US to strengthen coordination against illicit drug trafficking.

The minister said the Centre released the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026-2029) on June 26, outlining a three-year roadmap with clear priorities and time-bound targets for various stakeholders to tackle illicit drug trafficking and drug abuse through a “Whole-of-Government” and “Whole-of-Society” approach.

Rai said the NCB has also established a four-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism to improve coordination among Central and state drug law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders. He added that the NCORD portal serves as a single platform for information related to drug law enforcement.

The Minister of State said a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), headed by NCB Director General Anurag Garg, has been set up to monitor investigations into major drug cases, including those linked to narco-terrorism.

Rai added that comprehensive guidelines on financial investigations have also been issued to facilitate the systematic identification, tracing and attachment of proceeds of crime. (IANS)