The U.S. State Department has issued a revised travel advisory for India, urging American nationals to exercise increased caution due to crime and terrorism, particularly highlighting regions such as Jammu and Kashmir. While India overall remains at Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”), several regions have been escalated to Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”).
The advisory specifies that Americans should not travel to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (excluding eastern Ladakh and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest. Similarly, travel within 10 kilometers of the India-Pakistan border is discouraged because of the potential for armed conflict. Manipur is also listed at Level 4 due to ongoing violence and crime resulting from ethnic conflicts.
The State Department highlights that terrorism and violence are persistent threats in parts of central and eastern India, where Naxalite insurgents are active. This region spans from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. Americans are advised to avoid these areas due to frequent attacks on Indian government officials and security forces.
Additionally, the advisory urges reconsideration of travel to the northeastern states of India due to sporadic acts of violence by ethnic insurgent groups. These incidents often involve bombings of public transportation and markets.
The advisory also notes that the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to citizens in rural areas. U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to several states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Odisha, and certain regions of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
Overall, the advisory underscores the importance of exercising caution and being aware of the heightened risks in specific regions.
Omar Abdullah Criticizes Modi Govt Over Travel Advisories
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah criticized the Modi government, stating that it has failed to address negative travel advisories, with Jammu and Kashmir continuing to be a “target” of the U.S. State Department’s travel warnings.
“So much for ‘naya J&K’. Despite all the talk of normalcy, peace, tourism, and the G-20 event in Srinagar, J&K remains the target of U.S. State Department travel advisories. The Modi government has been able to change nothing,” Abdullah posted on X.