The United States has revised its travel advisory for India, maintaining a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution status nationwide, while highlighting particular concerns for the Northeast region. This updated guidance follows a periodic review of safety and entry/exit protocols.
The advisory explicitly urges American citizens to steer clear of Manipur, citing the persistent threat of violence and criminal activities. “Do not travel to Manipur due to the threat of violence and crime,” the advisory states unequivocally. It underscores the ongoing ethnic-based conflict, which has led to widespread violence and significant displacement of communities. Furthermore, it notes the regular occurrence of attacks on Indian government targets within the state, necessitating prior approval for US government employees wishing to travel to Manipur.
For the broader Northeastern states, the advisory recommends American travellers “reconsider travel” due to prevailing risks of terrorism and sporadic violence. It points out that various ethnic insurgent groups occasionally engage in violent acts, including the bombing of public transport systems, bustling markets, and critical rail infrastructure.
While the advisory acknowledges no recent reports of violence in states like Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura, it nevertheless imposes restrictions on US government personnel. Officials are required to secure prior approval before venturing into Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, or indeed any location outside the capital cities of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura.
This advisory serves as a significant cautionary note for both American travellers and diplomats, underscoring the intricate and evolving security landscape across specific parts of India’s Northeast. It also reiterates a stricter Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for Jammu and Kashmir (excluding Ladakh) and certain areas along the India-Pakistan border, attributing this heightened alert to elevated security risks.