US sounds alarm on travel to India: Issues level-2 advisory, asks women not to travel alone
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US sounds alarm on travel to India: Issues level-2 advisory, asks women not to travel alone
The U.S. State Department has issued a Level-2 travel advisory for India. It asks travelers to “exercise increased caution” due to crime and terrorism threats. The regions flagged for extra caution include Jammu and Kashmir, areas along the India-Pakistan border, and parts of central and eastern India. US officials must get clearance before visiting areas beyond the capital cities of certain states. The advisory also gave special mention to Manipur and other northeastern states.
“Rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crimes, including sexual assault, happen at tourist sites and other locations,” the advisory stated. It also warned that “terrorists may attack with little or no warning,” targeting places like markets, transport hubs, shopping malls and government buildings.
The advisory noted that the US government has limited ability to provide emergency help to its citizens in India’s rural regions. “These areas stretch from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal,” it said. Because of safety risks, US government staff must get special permission to travel to these places.
Important travel restrictions and guidelines
Travelers were warned against carrying certain devices: “Possessing a satellite phone or a GPS device is illegal in India and may result in a penalty of $200,000 or jail time of up to three years,” the advisory said. It also advised travelers: “Do not travel alone, especially if you are a woman.”
High-risk areas named in advisory
The regions flagged for extra caution include Jammu and Kashmir, areas along the India-Pakistan border, and parts of central and eastern India. US officials must get clearance before visiting areas beyond the capital cities of certain states.
The advisory mentioned that US government employees need approval to travel beyond the capital cities of these states:
Bihar
Jharkhand
Chhattisgarh
West Bengal
Meghalaya
Odisha
It added, “US government employees working in India also need approval to travel to the eastern region of Maharashtra and the eastern region of Madhya Pradesh.”
Border and northeast travel also restricted
Travelers were warned not to cross the India-Nepal border by land due to risks of immigration-related detentions and fines. The advisory also gave special mention to Manipur and other northeastern states, signaling ongoing security concerns in those regions.