Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur today said the surge in illicit trade is causing a shadow on India's progress towards the 5 trillion dollar economy. Speaking at a function in New Delhi, Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said the illicit trade has risen in recent times, which is damaging the developing economies like India and Africa. He said that combating these unethical practices and endorsing the governance framework to reduce the occurrence of such illicit trade activities remains a matter of concern.  

Mr. Thakur said there is a need to cultivate awareness and a deeper understanding of the magnitude of this issue as well as its profound repercussions on consumers, society, government and businesses. Mr. Thakur said the government has enacted laws that not only have aligned with international commitment but also exhibited a progressive outlook. He also underscored the need for intergovernmental collaborations and public private partnerships to formulate a comprehensive strategy to combat the illicit trade.