The United States government has raised alarm over the growing health crisis triggered by fentanyl—a synthetic opioid linked to a sharp rise in overdose deaths. In a recent 2025 Annual Threat Assessment (ATA) report, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence has named India as a rising source in the illegal fentanyl trade.
The report stated, “Nonstate groups are often enabled, both directly and indirectly, by state actors, such as China and India, as sources of precursors and equipment for drug traffickers. China remains the primary source country for illicit fentanyl precursor chemicals and pill pressing equipment, followed by India.”
What Is Fentanyl and Why It’s Dangerous
Fentanyl, a lab-made opioid, is significantly stronger than morphine and heroin. Though it is used medically to manage severe pain, its illegal use has led to a surge in overdose deaths across the US. Even a small quantity can be fatal or cause permanent brain changes if abused repeatedly.
From 2018 to 2022, the use of fentanyl among people aged 15 to 24 has “nearly quadrupled,” according to a recent study, indicating the drug’s alarming spread among youth.
India-US Cooperation Intensifies
FBI Director Kash Patel revealed the Trump administration’s efforts to collaborate with Indian authorities to dismantle the illicit network. In his appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Patel explained that traffickers have been routing precursor chemicals through India before reaching Mexican drug cartels.
“They’re going to places like India, and I’m also doing operations in India. You don’t hear fentanyl deaths in India. You don’t hear fentanyl deaths in England, Australia, New Zealand, or Five Eyes partners in Canada,” he said, calling out the Chinese Communist Party for allegedly using fentanyl as a “weapon against the US.”
He added, “I just got off the phone with the Indian government. We’re going to find these companies that buy it, and we’re going to shut them down.”
Topic of Relevance for UPSC Aspirants
With the growing geopolitical and public health dimensions of the fentanyl crisis, the issue has become significant for Indian students preparing for competitive exams like UPSC. It ties into international relations, internal security, and drug policy—key segments in the current affairs section.
