Travelers planning to visit the world’s most populated country are being advised to use extra caution on their trip. On Monday, the U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Americans heading to India.
A Level 2 warning is the second lowest on the agency’s four-tier scale and advises travelers to “exercise increased caution” while visiting.
The advisory says crime and terrorism threats are cause for the updated advisory. Specifically, officials say there has been an increase of violent crimes and sexual assaults in India, including at tourist areas.
“Rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India,” reads a portion of the advisory. The advisory goes on to say “Terrorists may attack with little or no warning” and they target:
- Tourist locations.
- Transportation hubs.
- Markets/shopping malls.
- Government facilities.
The State Department says the U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in rural areas. Government officials must be granted special permission to visit certain rural areas, the warning says.
While the Level 2 warning is in place for the majority of India, the State Department does list several different areas that are considered “Do not travel” zones. Those zones include portions of Central and Eastern India, the area near the Pakistan border and more. For more information on the “Do not travel” areas of India, visit the advisory website.
If you do decide to visit India, the Department of State recommends:
- Do not bring a satellite phone or 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. Read travel tips at Women Travelers.
- Review your personal security plans and stay alert to your surroundings.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get alerts and make it easier for us to find you in an emergency.
