Travel advisory from US Administration says many parts of India is prone to unrest
It is surprising, the USA administration has issued a travel advisory (on June 16, 2025) asking those travelling to India to exercise “Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk.”
The Advisory elaborates the “Violent crime and terrorism occur in India.”
As per the advisory “Rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crimes, including sexual assault, happen at tourist sites and other locations.”
The advisory cautions those travelling to India that “Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target: tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls’ government facilities
The advisory says that “The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in rural areas.”
It further says that the area of caution “stretch from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal.”
The advisory has further said “Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in India must obtain special authorization to travel to these areas.”
The advisory further says “Do not travel alone, especially if you are a woman. Read travel tips at Women Travellers. Review your personal security plans and stay alert to your surroundings.”
Regarding those intends to visit Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir; the advisory cautions “Do not travel to this area (except for visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest. Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible. Violence happens sporadically in this area and is common along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan.”
The advisory says “Violence also occurs in tourist spots in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam.”
The advisory also warns against visiting India-Pakistan Border. “Do not travel to this area due to potential for armed conflict. India and Pakistan have a strong military presence on their respective sides of the border.”
The advisory also warns against travelling to “Parts of Central and East India: Do not travel to this area due to terrorism. Maoist extremist groups, or “Naxalites,” are active in a large area of India that spans from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal.”
“Attacks against officers of the Indian government continue to occur sporadically in the rural parts of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand that border with Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha. Southwest areas of Odisha are also affected.”
The advisory says, “Do not travel to Manipur due to the threat of violence and crime. Ongoing ethnic-based conflict has resulted in reports of extensive violence and community displacement. Attacks against Indian government targets occur on a regular basis.
North-eastern states, the advisory says, “Reconsider travel to this area due to terrorism and violence. Ethnic insurgent groups occasionally commit acts of violence in parts of the northeast. These incidents include bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets.”
(From: Travel.State.Gov U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS)
