Wahington: In a fresh travel advisory issued on Tuesday, the US warned its citizens to travel to India with “enhanced care,” advising them not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir or within 10 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border.
“Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism,” the US State Department said in its latest travel advisory for India that decreases the risk of travel to India from Level 3 to Level 2. The last travel advisory issued by the United States was on January 25.
The State Department’s travel warning comes a day after the CDC issued a Presence 1 Travel Health Notice due to COVID-19, suggesting a low level of the virus in India.
Both advisories indicate that the United States believes the situation in India has stabilised.
However, it maintains the same position on Jammu and Kashmir and the Indo-Pak border, where it advises residents not to travel.
“Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Avoid all travel to this union territory (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh),” the advisory said.
“Sporadic violence occurs particularly along the Line of Control (LOC) separating India and Pakistan, and in tourist destinations in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. The Indian government prohibits foreign tourists from visiting certain areas along the LOC,” the State Department said.
It added that both India and Pakistan have a substantial military presence on both sides of the border, and that the sole official India-Pakistan border crossing point for non-Indian and non-Pakistani citizens is in Punjab, between Attari and Wagah.
It added that both India and Pakistan have a substantial military presence on both sides of the border, and that the sole official India-Pakistan border crossing point for non-Indian and non-Pakistani citizens is in Punjab, between Attari and Wagah.
“The border crossing is usually open, but confirm the current status of the border crossing prior to commencing travel. A Pakistani visa is required to enter Pakistan. Only US citizens residing in India may apply for a Pakistani visa in India. Otherwise apply for a Pakistani visa in your country of residence before travelling to India,” it said.
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