New Delhi: The US Department of State has issued a travel advisory warning American citizens to exercise increased caution when visiting India due to various safety and security concerns. The advisory categorizes India as a level two country, indicating potential risks that visitors should be aware of and take necessary precautions.
Specific regions within India, such as Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, and the India-Pakistan border, have been designated as level four due to higher levels of risk. The advisory urges citizens to avoid traveling to these areas due to ongoing terrorism, civil unrest, and potential armed conflict.
In Manipur, the threat of violence and crime has resulted in ethnic-based civil conflict, leading to extensive violence and community displacement. The US government employees are required to obtain prior approval before visiting Manipur due to the risks involved.
The advisory also highlights the risk of terrorism in India, with potential attacks targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, and government facilities. Additionally, concerns over violent crime, including sexual assault, have been raised at tourist sites and other locations.
Naxalite extremist groups are active in several regions of India, carrying out terrorist attacks targeting local police, paramilitary forces, and government officials. The US government employees must obtain permission prior to traveling to specific areas in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Odisha.
Northeastern states have been designated as level three, with the advisory recommending that citizens reconsider travel to these areas due to ethnic insurgent groups and occasional acts of violence. While there have been no recent reports of violence in certain states like Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura, caution is still advised.
US government employees are required to obtain prior approval before traveling to certain states and regions in India, emphasizing the importance of safety and security measures for all visitors to the country.