The United States embassy in Delhi on Thursday said it had revoked and denied visas to some Indian “business executives and corporate leaders” for their alleged involvement in trafficking fentanyl precursors.
It did not name the persons or the companies involved.
A fentanyl precursor is a chemical used to manufacture fentanyl, a synthetic opioid blamed for widespread addiction in the US. The Donald Trump administration has launched a crackdown on its illegal import, even linking the issue to tariff adjustments with some countries.
On Thursday, the embassy said that the visa restrictions had been imposed under sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
“Individuals and organisations involved in the illegal production and trafficking of drugs to the United States, along with their families, will face consequences that may include being denied access to the United States,” US Chargé d’affaires Jorgan Andrews said.
The embassy also said it was “flagging executives connected with companies known to have trafficked fentanyl precursors for heightened security if and when they apply for US visas”.
It added that Washington was grateful for cooperation from the Indian government in tackling the problem.
The development came three days after Trump named India, Pakistan and China among 23 major drug transit or producing nations, saying that the countries were threatening the safety of Americans.
This is the second time this year that Washington has announced visa restrictions for Indian nationals. In May, the State Department barred owners and senior officials of travel agencies in India accused of “knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the US”.
US revokes sanction waver linked to Iran’s Chabahar port
The US has revoked a sanctions waiver for Iran’s Chabahar port, ending an exemption granted to India in 2018. The waiver will lapse within 10 days, The Hindu quoted Secretary of State Marco Rubio as saying on Thursday.
The Chabahar port, particularly the Shahid Beheshti terminal, has been under operational control of an Indian entity since 2018. Considered a crucial link for regional connectivity, it allows India to bypass Pakistan to access Afghanistan and Central Asia, facilitating trade and humanitarian aid.
The decision to revoke the waiver, part of Washington’s broader “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran, also included designating several entities involved in Iran’s oil trade.
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