The US State Department has issued a Level 2 travel warning for its citizens traveling to India. In this, American citizens have been advised to exercise caution due to crime and terrorism in India. The advisory, issued on June 16, states that ‘rape is currently one of the fastest growing crimes in India’. Violent crimes, including sexual assault, occur at tourist destinations and other locations. The advisory also states that terrorists can attack without warning. They target tourist destinations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, government institutions. Due to this risk, American government employees working in India will have to seek special permission for travel. The State Department said that the US government has limited capacity to provide emergency services to American citizens in rural areas. The state at risk includes parts of Maharashtra and stretches from northern Telangana to West Bengal. The advisory specifically states that you should not travel alone, especially if you are a woman. Apart from this, the advisory mentions Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Odisha and states that if employees want to travel to any city other than the capital of these states, then permission must be obtained. Do not cross the Nepal-India border via land route.
