Rape, terror: US updates travel advisory for India, asks women not to travel alone
The US Department of State has issued a Level 2 advisory to American citizens and workers living in India, asking them to "exercise increased caution", claiming that the country is witnessing a surge in rape, violence and terrorism incidents of late. The Trump administration has also asked women not to travel alone and be extra alert while at any tourist sites and other locations.advertisement"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, which was reissued on June 16 after periodic review with updates to entry/exit requirements, said.Warning of terrorism, the advisory asked US citizens to avoid travelling to tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls and government facilities, claiming they are vulnerable to terror attacks.
The update in the US travel advisory to India comes nearly two months after Pakistan-based terrorists opened fire on tourists, killing 25 of them in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 2."Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir: Do not travel to this area (except for visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest," the State Department warned.advertisement"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. 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 added.American citizens were also warned about potential armed conflict between India and Pakistan, and were advised not to travel to areas near the international border.Advising women to exercise the utmost caution, the notification said that the US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in rural areas.The State Department specifically talked about the Naxal threat, saying, "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". It included Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya and Odisha in the list of states which are affected by Naxalism.For those who decide to travel to India in the coming days, the advisory urged them to not carry a satellite phone or a GPS device. "Possessing a satellite phone or GPS device is illegal in India and may result in a penalty of $200,000 or jail time of up to three years. Do not travel alone, especially if you are a woman".advertisementAdditionally, US nationals in India were instructed to review their travel plans and stay vigilant about their surroundings at all times, while also ensuring travel insurance.CONGRESS ATTACKS CENTREThe Congress seized the opportunity to attack the Centre, calling the advisory a "shock" and an "embarrassment" for the government."US Travel Advisory Shocks India! The June 2025 update warns women not to travel alone in India due to surging rape, violence, and terrorism risks. Is this the collapse of PM's "safe India" narrative? A global embarrassment for @narendramodi and @BJP4India," the Karnataka Congress wrote on X.Must Watch
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The Print
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US updates travel advisory for India citing violent crimes, potential terror attacks
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Advisory levels are based on risk indicators such as crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health concerns, natural disasters, and events like elections or large gatherings. Additional concerns may include kidnapping, wrongful detention, or other safety threats unique to specific regions. According to Christopher Clary, an associate professor of Political Science, University at Albany, while India has always been on Level 2, 'Previously the advisory was largely concerned with risks of terrorism and insurgency, especially in certain states. Women were encouraged not to travel alone. Those concerns about violence against women have been foregrounded in most recent update.' Also Read: India is re-hyphenating itself with Pakistan all over again. It needs a new 3D strategy Regions out of bounds: LoC, Northeast, central India In addition to general security risks, the advisory includes detailed restrictions for US government employees in India. 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In the northeastern state of Manipur, the US government warns against all travel due to ongoing ethnic violence, attacks on Indian government institutions, and widespread displacement of communities. American officials stationed in India must obtain prior approval before entering Manipur. Although the advisory stops short of banning travel to the broader Northeast, it advises travellers to reconsider plans to visit regions where insurgent groups have historically carried out attacks, including bombings on buses, rail infrastructure, and marketplaces. While there have been no recent incidents in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura, US personnel must obtain approval before traveling to Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh or outside the capital cities in Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Tripura. 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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
T S Singh Deo questions Amit Shah over US travel advisory on women's safety in Chhattisgarh
RAIPUR: Former Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader T S Singh Deo on Sunday has sparked a political firestorm, questioning Union Home Minister Amit Shah on a recent US travel advisory, which warns American citizens, particularly women, against traveling alone in India, with a specific caution against visiting Naxal-affected regions like Chhattisgarh. Taking to X, T S Singh Deo cited the advisory and asked, 'The US govt has clearly stated that women should not travel alone in India, especially in Chhattisgarh. Why? Because rape, violence, and terrorism are out of control.' Calling it a serious global embarrassment for India, he said the advisory is an indictment of the law-and-order situation under both the Modi govt at the Centre and the BJP-led state govt in Chhattisgarh. ''Beti Bachao' has been reduced to just a slogan and posters,' Singh Deo wrote. 'This is a collective failure of both govts that has now tarnished the nation's image on the international stage.' He further challenged Home Minister Amit Shah, who was in Raipur for official engagements, including laying the foundation of forensic institutes, to go beyond speeches and conduct a serious review of internal security and women's safety, areas that fall directly under his ministerial responsibility. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo 'When the Home Minister is here in Chhattisgarh, he must address why such alarming advisories are being issued about our state,' Singh Deo added. Singh Deo didn't stop at the advisory alone. He stepped up attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's global leadership claims, calling them 'hollow,' and alleged that even 'Modiji's closest allies are now exposing the truth behind the façade of the so-called 'Amrit Kaal'.' 'If urgent reforms are not brought in, India under Modi's 'New India' slogans will continue to be met only with warnings and humiliation on the global stage,' he warned. What Does the US Advisory Say? The US Department of State's travel advisory specifically cautions its citizens—especially women—against traveling alone in India, citing rising incidents of rape and sexual violence, particularly in tourist hotspots, transit centers, markets, and shopping malls. The advisory further warns against travel to Naxal-affected regions including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and eastern Maharashtra, due to the ongoing Maoist insurgency. It also discourages visits to Manipur, citing violent unrest and high crime rates. The US government emphasized that its ability to provide emergency assistance in rural and remote areas is limited, further underscoring the risks for solo travellers, especially women.
