Trump praises PM Modi’s opium crackdown, but India stays on US drug transit list

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to curb illicit opium poppy cultivation in India, even as Washington included India among 23 countries designated as major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries.In a Presidential Determination submitted to the US Congress, Trump said he looked forward to continued cooperation with India under the United States-India Drug Policy Framework. “I welcome Prime Minister Modi and the Government of India’s efforts to address illicit opium poppy cultivation and bolster supply chain integrity,” Trump said in the directive made public on Wednesday.India’s inclusion on the list does not, however, amount to a US finding that its government is failing to tackle the drug trade.