India: Overview

Travel Warning: Areas of Conflict

Foreigners in the western state of Rajasthan should be aware of ethnic conflict in the region. In June, at least 40 people were killed in clashes between security forces and ethnic Gujjar protesters. On June 18, the Gujjar community reached a peace deal with the Rajasthan State government and this is expected to relieve tension, however travellers in both Delhi and Rajasthan should stay alert and avoid getting caught up in any public protests.

Several Indian regions are prone to occasional conflict; Jammu and Kashmir (as distinct from Ladakh) are subject to political violence and travellers should seek consular advice before entering any area bordering Pakistan. Similar advice should also be sought before travel to Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur in northeast India. There are militant groups operating sporadically in some rural areas of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa. On July 16, 17 policemen were killed in a landmine blast in Orissa which led to shootings between security forces and Maoist rebels. At the same location in June, rebels blew up a police boat, killing 38.

Travellers should remain alert wherever they travel in India, particularly in big cities and when attending large public gatherings. Deadly bomb attacks have occurred in Mumbai, New Delhi , Jaipur and Hyderabad over the past couple of years, with a series of bombings killing 13 in Uttar Pradesh in November 2007. Political and sectarian tensions occasionally boil over into street violence.

Check out Safe Travel for updated government warnings or the Thorn Tree travel forum for some good advice from travellers.

severity: High-level alert