The United States of America has updated its travel advisory for India’s northeastern states, urging its citizens to reconsider travelling to the region due to “occasional violence”. The advisory, issued July 23, cites “ethnic insurgent groups” responsible for sporadic attacks, including bombings of buses, trains, rail lines and markets.
“Ethnic insurgent groups occasionally commit acts of violence in parts of the northeast. These incidents include bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets,” the advisory, which was updated on July 23, read.
“US government employees traveling in India require prior approval before visiting the states of Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as when visiting any areas outside of the capital cities of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura,” the advisory by the US Department of State said.
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While Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Tripura have seen no recent violence, the northeastern states have been placed under Level 3, which advises reconsidering travel. Specific approvals are required for US government employees traveling to Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and areas outside the capital cities of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura.
Manipur is under Level 4, indicating a “do not travel” status due to ongoing ethnic violence, crime, and frequent attacks on Indian government targets. US government employees need prior approval to visit Manipur.
Other Level 4 areas include Jammu and Kashmir (excluding the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh), parts of central and eastern India, and regions within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border. The advisory notes concerns over terrorist attacks and sporadic violence in Jammu and Kashmir, including popular tourist destinations like Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam.
Jammu Kashmir National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah criticized the advisory, suggesting that despite claims of progress and peace in Jammu and Kashmir, the situation remains problematic.
In central and eastern India, the advisory warns of Maoist extremist activity, particularly in areas spanning eastern Maharashtra, northern Telangana, and western West Bengal. Attacks on Indian government officials continue sporadically in rural parts of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, which border several other states.
