Trump administration issues travel advisory for its citizens; asks to exercise increased caution before traveling to India

Washington, January 11: The Trump administration on Wednesday issued a new travel advisory to it citizens for various countries including India, which is based on a ready-to-understand level of advice ranging from one to four level.

 

Notably, the government of United States of America has placed India on level 2 i.e exercise increased caution. While Pakistan has been placed in Level 3 which says reconsider travel. "Placing India on Level 2, the State Department identified crime and terrorism for Americans to exercise increased caution.

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

The State Department also said, “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.” 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,” the State Department concluded.

On the other side, the State Department has asked its citizens to reconsider travel to Pakistan. Americans are advised not to travel to Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

“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 State Department said.

The State Department also said, "These improvements will provide US citizens with clear, timely, and reliable safety and security information worldwide.”