- Travel Advice
DFAT advice for India
When travelling to India, you should always get travel insurance in case the worst happens. To help you ensure you travel safely, we have included the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for India.
| India overall | This Advice is current for Sunday, 21 March 2010. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Jammu and Kashmir | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| North-eastern states of Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Safety and Security: Terrorism (attack in Pune on 13 February). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
![[top]](/zwiki/images/page_top.gif)
Summary
- We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in India at this time because of the high risk of terrorist activity by militant groups.
- Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time anywhere in India with little or no warning.
- In November 2008, over 170 people were killed and more than 300 were injured in a series of coordinated terrorist attacks targeting places frequented by Westerners in Mumbai. Australians were among the casualties. You should take particular care when visiting places that may be terrorist targets. See the Terrorism section below for details.
- We continue to receive reporting of possible threats against prominent business and tourist locations, including in Mumbai and New Delhi.
- Credible reporting suggests that terrorists may be planning attacks in India directed at hotels frequented by foreigners, including perceived western owned hotels.
- Terrorists may be planning attacks against Indian political and security interests.
- There is a continuing threat from terrorism throughout India and major secular and religious holidays could provide terrorist groups an opportunity or pretext to stage an attack.
- We judge that terrorists may target prominent religious sites such as the Ram temple site in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.
- In 2010, India will host the Hockey World Cup (28 February-13 March, New Delhi) and Commonwealth Games (3-14 October, New Delhi). We advise travellers to register their travel and contact details in advance of their trip.
- Violent protests and demonstrations occur frequently throughout India. Australians are urged to avoid protests, to monitor international and local media, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
- We advise you not to travel to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, other than to the Ladakh region via Manali, or by air to the city of Leh, due to frequent armed clashes and terrorist activities.
- We advise you not to travel in the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan, other than at the international border crossing at Wagah.
- We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the north-eastern states of Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur because of the risk of armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion and terrorism related incidents. If you do decide to travel to these areas, you should exercise extreme caution.
- The Indian Government has announced changes to tourist visa regulations that may affect Australian travellers. See Entry and Exit Requirements for details.
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians on precautionary measures see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
