US Issues Level-2 Travel Advisory for India, Warns Against Solo Travel for Women
On June 16, 2025, the U.S. State Department issued an updated Level-2 travel advisory for India, urging American citizens to “exercise increased caution” due to concerns over crime and terrorism. The advisory specifically warns women against traveling alone, highlighting the risks of violent crime, including sexual assault, at tourist sites and other public areas. It also notes the potential for terrorist attacks in crowded locations such as markets, transportation hubs, shopping malls, and government facilities, which may occur with little or no warning.
The advisory emphasizes heightened risks in specific regions, including a “Do Not Travel” directive for the state of Manipur due to ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which has resulted in over 250 deaths and displaced more than 60,000 people since May 2023. Similarly, travel warnings remain for Jammu and Kashmir (except Leh and eastern Ladakh) due to terrorism and civil unrest, particularly near the Line of Control with Pakistan. The advisory references the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley, where 26 civilians were killed, underscoring the ongoing threat in the region.
Other high-risk areas include parts of central and eastern India, such as eastern Maharashtra, northern Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, where Maoist insurgency groups, known as Naxalites, frequently target local officials. The northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura are also flagged for increased caution due to sporadic violence. The advisory advises against land crossings at the India-Nepal and India-Pakistan borders, citing potential immigration-related detentions and fines.
Additionally, the advisory warns that possessing satellite phones or GPS devices is illegal in India, with penalties including fines up to $200,000 or imprisonment for up to three years. The U.S. government notes its limited ability to provide emergency services in rural areas, particularly from eastern Maharashtra to western West Bengal, and requires special authorization for its employees to travel to these regions.
The advisory has sparked concern within India’s tourism industry, especially as it coincides with the peak summer travel season. While India remains a Level-2 destination, the explicit warning against solo female travel has raised questions about its impact on the country’s global tourism image, particularly for women travelers who make up a growing segment of solo explorers.
WordPress Tags: US travel advisory, India travel warning, solo female travel, crime in India, terrorism risk, Manipur violence, Jammu and Kashmir, Naxalite insurgency, travel safety
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