US Issues New Travel Advisory, Ranks India at Level Two of Caution

While the travel advisory places India at ‘exercise with caution’, it’s asked citizens to not travel to J&K at all.

The US has released a new travel advisory for its citizens. 

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The US on Wednesday, 10 January, issued a new travel advisory for countries including India, which has been termed "user friendly" by officials as it is based on ready-to-understand level of advice ranging from one to four.

India has been ranked Level 2 (exercise increased caution) while Pakistan has been placed in Level 3 (reconsider travel). Level 1 advises travellers to exercise normal precaution, while Level 4, which has countries like Afghanistan, recommends "Do Not Travel."

Now every country has a travel advisory based on this system, which has replaced all such previous advisories.

These improvements will provide US citizens with clear, timely, and reliable safety and security information worldwide.

The State Department, as reported by <i>PTI</i>

Placing India on Level 2, the State Department identified "crime and terrorism" in the country, for Americans to exercise increased caution. It asks Americans not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir, except for eastern Ladakh and Leh and not to venture within 10 miles of the India-Pakistan border due to the "potential for armed conflict."

The State Department explained that while it will issue an overall travel advisory for every country, levels of advice may vary for specific locations or areas within a country.

Indian authorities report rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites and in other locations.

The new travel advisory, as reported by <i>PTI</i>

Terrorists or armed groups are active in east-central India, primarily in rural areas, it added. "Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities," it said.

Ranking Pakistan on Level 3, the State Department asked Americans to reconsider travel to this country due to terrorism.

It advises Americans not to travel to Balochistan province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) due to terrorism.

Americans are also advised not to travel to Pak-Occupied Kashmir due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict.

Over the past six months, there have been at least 40 significant terrorist attacks across Pakistan, resulting in over 225 deaths and 475 wounded, most of which occurred in Balochistan, KPK, and the FATA. In the past, there have been large-scale terrorist attacks resulting in hundreds of casualties.

The new travel advisory, as reported by <i>PTI</i>