The surge in illicit trade is a troubling consequence of globalisation which has casted shadow on India’s progress towards becoming a 5 trillion dollar economy, said Anurag Thakur, Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt of India. “Illicit trade, whether conducted through activities like smuggling, counterfeiting, or tax evasion, exacts a considerable socio-economic toll. It not only hinders our advancement but also drives up expenses, pushing these crucial goals even further from our reach,” he said.