India is often hailed as the world’s largest democracy, a vibrant and diverse nation with a rich cultural heritage and a growing economic power. But beneath this shining facade lies a dark and disturbing reality: India is also a major hub for drug trafficking, both within the region and internationally.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), India is situated in the world’s largest illicit drug-producing region, which supplies heroin, opium, methamphetamine,  and other drugs to the global market. India serves as a transit point for its smuggling. India also produces and consumes a variety of drugs, such as cannabis, hashish, cocaine, ecstasy, and pharmaceutical opioids. The UNODC estimates that India has about 3.1 million drug users, of whom 860,000 are opioid users.

In recent years, drug trafficking through India has increased manifolds using the route originating from Afghanistan-Chabahar port to the Mumbai/ Mundra port, bypassing Pakistan. Drug trafficking undermines the security, stability and development of the region, fueling corruption, crime, violence, and terrorism. Drug money also supports insurgent and militant groups such as the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan, and the Naxalites in India, who use drugs as a source of funding and a weapon of war. India not only provides safe havens to the warlords but also fuels their campaigns through drug money.

India is one of the world’s largest opiate markets in terms of users and would likely be vulnerable to increased supply, as there are already signs that an intensification of trafficking in opiates originating in Afghanistan may be taking place. The opiate market in India poses serious threats to the region’s security, stability, and development. Drug abuse causes health, social and economic problems, affecting the lives and well-being of millions of innocent humans around the globe.

India’s escalating role in the global narcotics trade is a matter of serious concern. India’s role in the illicit synthetic drug trade draws closer scrutiny, as it is a major supplier of chemicals for fentanyl and methamphetamine. Recent official and non-governmental reports have highlighted India’s role in the global narcotics trade. The U.S. State Department’s annual report on international narcotics control strategy, released in March 2022 indicates that “Multiton consignments of precursor materials have been shipped from India to Africa and Mexico,” and “this trend is expected to continue and expand.”

It is worth mentioning that India is the prime destination for darknet-traded drugs in South Asia. This means that India is one of the most common countries where drugs are shipped from online platforms that operate anonymously and use cryptocurrencies. Some of the reasons for this are:

• India has a large population and a high demand for drugs, especially synthetic stimulants like MDMA, methamphetamine, and amphetamine.
• India has a well-developed pharmaceutical industry that produces many controlled substances and precursor chemicals that can be diverted for illicit drug production and trafficking.
• India has a relatively low level of awareness and enforcement of cybercrime laws and regulations, making it easier for darknet users to operate without being detected or prosecuted.

India’s response to the drug menace has been inadequate and ineffective. The country lacks a comprehensive and coherent national drug policy, and its drug laws are outdated and inconsistent. Its enforcement agencies are understaffed, underfunded, and undertrained, facing challenges of coordination, cooperation, and intelligence-sharing. The judicial system is slow, overburdened and, lenient, and the conviction rate for drug offences is low. The prevention and treatment programs are insufficient, inaccessible and stigmatized, and the harm reduction services are scarce and controversial.

India needs to wake up from its narco-nightmare and take urgent and decisive action to combat the drug problem. It has to adopt a balanced and evidence-based approach that addresses both the supply and demand sides of the drug equation. It has to focus on strengthening its legal and institutional framework and enhancing its capacity and capability to detect, deter, and disrupt  drug trafficking networks. India needs to improve its regional and international cooperation and participate actively in the global efforts to counter the drug threat instead of blaming its neighbors for its faults. If the BJP-led Indian government does not take timely measures and supported the base of drug trafficking in Afghanistan and other regional countries through proxies, it will exacerbate the consequences for the region and the world.

India has been playing an inconsistent role in the global fight against drugs. As the world’s largest democracy, India can set an example for other countries to follow, and contribute to the promotion of peace, security and development in the region and beyond. India can also benefit from the reduction of drug-related harms and costs, and the enhancement of its human and social welfare. India can turn its narco-nightmare into a narco-opportunity, and transform the region from a hub for drug trafficking into a drug-free zone through policy framework and institutionalization of drug trade.

Iqra Awan is a Research Fellow at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad and can be reached at iqraawann18@gmail.com