The United States has issued a revised travel advisory for India, urging its nationals to avoid traveling to Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, the India-Pakistan border, and certain parts of central and eastern India due to heightened risks of violence and crime. This update reflects new information on the northeastern states and emphasizes the need for increased caution in various regions of the country.
The State Department has placed India at Level 2 overall, advising increased caution due to crime and terrorism. However, specific regions have been classified as Level 4, indicating a “Do Not Travel” status. These regions include Jammu and Kashmir (excluding the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh), the India-Pakistan border, Manipur, and parts of central and eastern India where Naxalite activity is prevalent.
The advisory highlights the potential for terrorism and civil unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. It notes that violence is sporadic in this area, including tourist spots like Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. Additionally, the Indian government restricts foreign tourists from visiting certain areas along the LOC.
In Manipur, the State Department warns of the ongoing ethnic-based civil conflict, resulting in extensive violence and community displacement. Attacks against Indian government targets occur regularly, necessitating prior approval for US government employees traveling to this region.
The advisory also recommends reconsidering travel to the northeastern states due to terrorism and violence. Ethnic insurgent groups in these areas occasionally commit acts of violence, including bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets. While there have been no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura, US government employees require prior approval to visit these states and any areas outside the capital cities of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura.
The advisory further underscores the risks of violent crime, particularly sexual assault, at tourist sites and other locations in India. Indian authorities report that rape is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country. Terrorist attacks can occur with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, and government facilities. The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to its citizens in rural areas, which stretch from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal.
Naxalite extremist groups remain active in a large area spanning eastern Maharashtra, northern Telangana, and western West Bengal. These groups have carried out numerous terrorist attacks targeting local police, paramilitary forces, and government officials. Sporadic attacks continue in the rural parts of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, affecting areas that border Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha. Southwest areas of Odisha are also affected by Naxalite activity.
Due to the fluid nature of the threat, US government employees must obtain permission before traveling to most areas in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Odisha. However, this permission is not required for travel to the capital cities of these states. Additionally, approval is necessary for travel to the eastern regions of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
The advisory emphasizes the importance of caution and preparedness for US nationals traveling to India, given the varied and dynamic nature of the security threats in different regions of the country.
