US Issues Travel Advisory For India; Warns Of Rape, Violence, Terrorism

Washington, D.C, United States: The US Department of State on Sunday issued a Level 2 advisory to American citizens and workers residing in India. In its advisory, the US asked its citizens to exercise increased caution, claiming that there is a surge in rape and violence. The Trump government also urged female tourists in India not to travel alone and exercise maximum alert while at any tourist sites.

The advisory included a warning of terrorism-related incidents in the country, claiming that tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls and government facilities in India are vulnerable to terror attacks.

Read Also: Watch | “Pakistan And India…I Settled It Through Trade”: Donald Trump

“Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Violent crime and terrorism occur in India. Rape is one of the fastest-growing crimes in India. “Violent crimes, including sexual assault, happen at tourist sites and other locations,” the advisory stated.

The updated advisory for US citizens in India comes two months after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which the terrorists opened fire on tourists, killing 26 people, including foreign citizens.

Read Also: Indian Delegation To Join The Global March To Gaza Alongside Thousands

The US advisory specifically mentioned not traveling to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir except for visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, citing “terrorism and civil unrest.”

The notification warned that terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible, adding that such incidents happen sporadically in this area and are common along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. “Violence also occurs in tourist spots in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. “The Indian government does not allow foreign tourists to visit certain areas along the LOC,” it highlighted.

Notably, the update in the travel advisory also pointed out potential armed conflict between India and Pakistan while warning its citizens not to travel to areas near the international border.

The notification also mentioned the Naxal threat, stating “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.”