US Issues New Level-2 Travel Advisory For India, Urges Women To Avoid Solo Trips
New Delhi: The United States has issued a Level-2 travel advisory for India, cautioning its citizens to remain alert due to potential risks stemming from “crime and terrorism”. Released on June 16, the updated guidance from the US State Department highlights safety issues for tourists and singles out specific regions for heightened caution. A notable element of the advisory is a strong warning for women travelers to avoid traveling alone.
“Rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India,” the advisory states, adding that “violent crimes, including sexual assault, happen at tourist sites and other locations.” It further warns that “terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, government facilities.”
One of the clearest cautions is aimed at female travelers: “Do not travel alone, especially if you are a woman,” the advisory reads, reflecting ongoing concerns about gender-based violence in the country.
The advisory also highlights the US government’s limited ability to offer emergency assistance in remote areas, particularly those stretching from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. Because of safety concerns, US government personnel must receive special authorization to visit certain states unless traveling solely to the state capitals. These states include:
Bihar
Jharkhand
Chhattisgarh
West Bengal
Meghalaya
Odisha
Similar approval is required for travel to eastern parts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
Additional regions flagged for increased caution include Jammu and Kashmir, the India-Pakistan border zones, and parts of central and eastern India. The northeastern state of Manipur was also specifically mentioned due to ongoing unrest.
The advisory also cautions US citizens against crossing the India-Nepal border over land routes, citing risks related to “immigration related detention and fines.”
Travelers were further advised to avoid going out solo, especially women, and were reminded that “possessing a satellite phone or a GPS device is illegal in India and may result in a penalty of $200,000 or jail time of up to three years.”