NEW DELHI: The United States revoked and denied visas to “certain business executives and corporate leadership” from India for their alleged involvement in trafficking fentanyl precursor chemicals, the US embassy in New Delhi said on Thursday.
The move is seen as part of Washington’s increased crackdown on the global supply chain of synthetic narcotics.
In a statement, the embassy said that the visa actions were taken under various provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act and also extended to the close family members of the individuals concerned.
Though the US embassy declined to name the affected individuals or companies, it made clear that those linked to firms trafficking fentanyl precursors will be subject to heightened scrutiny for any future visa applications.
“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,” said Chargé d’affaires Jorgan Andrews.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s intensified efforts to tackle the opioid crisis, particularly fentanyl, a synthetic opioid linked to tens of thousands of deaths annually in the US. India was named earlier this year among 23 countries under US narcotics watch, signalling increased scrutiny.
The US embassy reiterated that stopping the flow of fentanyl and its precursors is among Washington’s top security priorities. It also acknowledged New Delhi’s cooperation on the issue.
“Only by working together will our two governments address this transnational threat and keep both our people safe from illicit drugs,” the statement said.
In January, the US Justice Department indicted two India-based companies—Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals—along with Bhavesh Lathiya, a founder and executive at Raxuter, for criminal conspiracy to distribute and import fentanyl precursor chemicals into the US and Mexico. Lathiya was arrested in New York City and charged in the Eastern District of New York.
The Justice Department alleged the companies used international mail and package carriers to ship chemical products, while employing fraudulent practices such as mislabeling packages and falsifying customs declarations to avoid detection.
There has been no official response yet from Indian authorities.
This is the second time this year that Indian nationals have faced US visa restrictions. In May, the US State Department imposed curbs on owners and officials of Indian travel agencies accused of facilitating illegal immigration, including the use of military flights to deport over 300 individuals.
The Trump administration has made repeated calls for source countries to take greater responsibility in stemming illicit drug flows, backed by executive orders to secure US borders and penalise those who are involved abroad.
The embassy emphasized that this is part of a broader policy shift, saying, "The United States will continue to flag executives connected with companies known to have trafficked fentanyl precursors for heightened scrutiny."