U.S. Issues New Travel 'Warning' for India
The United States has issued several updates to travel warnings in anticipation of a busy summer, and one of the world's most populous countries has received an updated classification.
The State Department has now upgraded the entire country of India to a "Level 2" threat, urging travelers to exercise caution should they venture to the Southeast Asian country.
"Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk," the advisory reads. The department cited examples of crimes like rape, violence and outright terrorism, noting that tourist attractions and other high-traffic areas are targets.
The advisory also named areas that Americans are urged to stay away from entirely. These include eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal, areas that the state department says it does not have direct access to in the event of an emergency.
"Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in India must obtain special authorization to travel to these areas," the department said.
Travelers are also urged to follow any laws and customs in India whenever possible. GPS devices and satellite phones are illegal, women are urged not to travel alone, and visitors are asked to take the same precautions as they would when going to any other foreign nation.
Areas marked with a "Level 4" designation of "Do Not Travel" include Jammu and Kashmir, where officials say civil unrest and terrorist attacks are common. These areas rest on the Line of Control between India and Pakistan, and can extend to tourist areas like Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam in the Kashmir Valley.
Some parts of central and east India were also marked with "Do Not Travel" designations. Political extremists have committed terrorist attacks in these regions, attempting to harm police, paramilitary forces and government officials.
Manipur was also given a "Level 4" designation as incidents of "extensive violence and community displacement" have been reported in the region.
Finally, travelers are urged to reconsider travel to the Northeastern states of India, where bombings from insurgent groups have been reported.
The United States Embassy in India is located in the capital city of New Delhi.