December 22, 2025

India is facing an intensifying narcotics challenge marked by the rapid spread of synthetic drugs, technology-enabled trafficking, and deeper penetration of transnational cartels. According to recent reports, drug seizures increased by nearly 55% in 2024, signalling both rising supply and improved enforcement. The shift from traditional plant-based drugs to synthetics has significantly altered the threat landscape.

Reasons for Rising Drug Abuse in India

1. Synthetic Drug Proliferation

Synthetic narcotics such as methamphetamine, fentanyl, and nitazenes are easier to manufacture, conceal, and transport than natural drugs. In 2024 alone, over 700 kg of methamphetamine was seized in Gujarat, highlighting India’s growing role in synthetic drug networks.

2. Geographical Vulnerability

India lies between the Golden Crescent (Afghanistan–Pakistan–Iran) and the Golden Triangle (Myanmar–Laos–Thailand), making it a natural transit and destination hub. In 2024, 3,132 kg of narcotics were seized off the Gujarat coast, underscoring maritime smuggling risks.

3. Technology-Enabled Trafficking

The use of the dark web, encrypted messaging platforms, and cryptocurrency payments has enabled anonymous drug trade and doorstep delivery, complicating law-enforcement detection.

4. Cartel Penetration and Chemical Diversion

Global drug cartels increasingly exploit India’s large pharmaceutical and chemical sector to source precursors. The discovery of a methamphetamine lab linked to the Jalisco cartel in Greater Noida (2024) illustrates the scale of international involvement.

5. Social Vulnerabilities

Youth unemployment, mental stress, and peer pressure increase susceptibility to substance abuse. India recorded approximately 58,000 drug-linked deaths in 2019, accounting for nearly 17% of global drug-related deaths, indicating the human cost of the crisis.

India’s Actions Against Drug Abuse

• NDPS Act, 1985: Criminalises production, possession, trafficking, and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
• Border & Maritime Surveillance: Deployment of drones, sensors, and patrol vessels; 294 Pakistani drones were intercepted in Punjab in 2024.
• Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD): Integrates intelligence sharing among central and state agencies; 1,200+ inter-agency operations coordinated since 2022.
• International Cooperation: Active engagement with UNODC, FATF, and INTERPOL to track trafficking routes and financial flows.

Way Forward

• Harm-Reduction Approach: Treat addiction as a public-health issue rather than solely a criminal offence; Portugal’s model reduced drug deaths by over 70%.
• Precursor Chemical Controls: Strengthen monitoring of pharmaceutical supply chains using integrated tracking systems.
• Tech-Driven Policing: Use AI-based drone detection, crypto-asset tracing, and social-media analytics.
• Financial Disruption: Target money laundering, hawala channels, and cartel financing through FATF-aligned financial intelligence.

Context: Thailand has formally expressed interest in joining BRICS and has sought India’s support ahead of India’s BRICS chairmanship in 2026. This development comes soon after India–Thailand relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2024, underscoring deeper cooperation in trade, connectivity, security, and regional groupings such as ASEAN-led mechanisms.

What is BRICS?

BRICS is an informal grouping of major emerging economies aimed at reforming global governance and strengthening cooperation among countries of the Global South.

• Evolution: Originally formed as BRIC in 2009, with South Africa joining in 2011, expanding it to BRICS.
• Nature: It has no permanent headquarters; chairmanship and annual summits rotate among members.
• Members (2025):
  • Founders: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa
  • Expanded members (2024): United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran
  • Indonesia joined in 2025, marking deeper outreach to Southeast Asia.

Objectives and Focus Areas

BRICS seeks to:

• Promote a multipolar world order.
• Reform global institutions such as the IMF and World Bank.
• Enhance South–South economic and political cooperation.
• Reduce over-dependence on Western-dominated financial systems.

A key institutional pillar is the New Development Bank (NDB), established in 2015, which finances infrastructure and sustainable development projects in member and partner countries. The NDB is headquartered in Shanghai, China.

Global Significance

• Population Share: Over 40% of the world’s population.
• Economic Weight: Around 37–40% of global GDP (PPP terms).
• Geopolitical Role: Increasingly viewed as an alternative to the G7, particularly for developing and emerging economies seeking greater strategic autonomy.

Why Thailand’s Interest Matters

• Regional Outreach: Thailand’s entry would strengthen BRICS’ footprint in Southeast Asia, complementing Indonesia’s membership.
• Economic Diversification: Thailand seeks alternative growth platforms amid global economic uncertainty.
• India’s Role: With India chairing BRICS in 2026, New Delhi’s support could shape membership norms, expansion criteria, and ASEAN–BRICS linkages.
• India–Thailand Synergy: Strategic Partnership status provides a strong diplomatic foundation for cooperation within BRICS frameworks.

Conclusion

Thailand’s interest in BRICS reflects the grouping’s growing appeal as a platform for inclusive global governance and South–South cooperation. As BRICS expands cautiously, India’s upcoming chairmanship will be pivotal in balancing institutional coherence with strategic inclusivity.