US Issues Level 2 Travel Advisory for India, Restricts Its Citizens to Visit Manipur. Read More

The advisory said,“Do not travel to Manipur due to the threat of violence and crime. "

The United States government has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for India, urging its citizens to exercise increased caution, especially advising against travel to Manipur in the Northeastern region of India due to the threat of violence and crime stemming from ongoing ethnic conflict in the region.

The advisory said,“Do not travel to Manipur due to the threat of violence and crime. Ongoing ethnic-based conflict has resulted in extensive violence and community displacement.”

It also warned that attacks on Indian government targets occur regularly in the state.

The US State Department further cautioned its citizens not to travel alone in India especially if you are a woman and emphasised that US government personnel need prior approval to visit Manipur.

The advisory also highlights risks in other parts of Northeast India. While it acknowledged no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura, it flagged that ethnic insurgent groups occasionally carry out bombings of buses, rail lines, and markets in parts of the region.

Additionally, US government employees have been asked to obtain prior approval for travel to Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and any area outside the capital cities of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Tripura.

The advisory further cautioned that terrorist attacks may occur with little or no warning in India, with potential targets including tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets and shopping malls, government facilities

The advisory also highlights the limited ability of the US government to provide emergency services to its citizens in rural and remote regions of India.

These areas include parts of eastern Maharashtra, northern Telangana, and western West Bengal.

Due to the security risks, US government employees are required to obtain special authorization before travelling to these regions.

Read: The full U.S. advisory for safety tips, legal warnings, and essential precautions

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