Exclusive research published by insidethegames last week revealed that India ranked among the top three nations in the latest global list of sanctions published by the Athletics Integrity Unit.

India was second only to Russia for the amount of athletes currently banned with 65 suspended.

The country has a similarly bad record in a number of other sports, notably weightlifting and wrestling.

Usha, elected IOA President last month, has vowed to tackle the problem.

Yesterday, she held talks with India's National Anti-Doping Agency.

"We want more people to be tested in off-season," the former sprinter, a four-time 1986 Asian Games gold medallist, told the country’s largest news agency Press Trust of India (PTI).

"Out-of-competition tests should be increased.

"Besides, awareness classes are being given but still they are doing it.

"I think more out-of-competition tests are needed and they should increase at national level."

India is increasingly investing in high-performance sport and India’s World Championship long jump bronze medallist last week predicted "phenomenal results" for the country’s athletes at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

George is a member of the Indian Government's Mission Olympic Cell group which has devised a roadmap to achieve podium places at the next two editions of the Games.

"I feel India is all set to be a sports superpower in the coming years," George, vice-president of the Athletics Federation of India, wrote for The Economic Times.

India, the world’s second most populous country, is also hoping to launch a bid for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

That could be hampered if India’s record on doping does not improve.

"We can also do it, we have to get more medals also," Usha told PTI. 

"We are not lacking in anything, but before that we have to be prepared for more medals also."