WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has included both India and Pakistan among 22 major illicit drug-producing or drug-transit countries, says a presidential determination released by the White House. Afghanistan is also on the list.

Of these 22, three countries – Bolivia, Myanmar, and Venezuela – are on a list of those who can face US sanctions.

All three are accused of “failing demonstrably” to fulfil their obligations under international counter-narcotics agreements and conventions.

But President Obama granted Myanmar and Venezuela waivers, declaring that it was in the US national interest to continue its assistance to them.

Besides India and Pakistan, other countries on the list are: Afghanistan, the Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Myanmar, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.

The presidential memo pointed out that opium poppy trade in Afghanistan “threatens domestic institutions, subverts the legal economy, and undermines good governance and the capacity of the Afghan people”.

US support for Afghanistan after 2014 would focus on maintaining established infrastructure and improving security, it said.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2014