The US State Department has issued a Level-2 travel advisory for India, urging American citizens to “exercise increased caution” due to rising concerns over crime and terrorism. The advisory was issued on June 16, marking a sudden and notable change in the US government’s stance on travel to India.
The advisory warns that violent crimes, including sexual assault and rape, are increasingly reported, particularly at tourist sites. “Rape is one of the fastest-growing crimes in India,” the statement said. It further noted that terrorist attacks may occur with little or no warning, targeting public areas such as transportation hubs, markets, malls, and government facilities.
The advisory singles out several regions for heightened caution, especially rural areas in eastern Maharashtra, northern Telangana, and western West Bengal, where the US government says it has limited ability to provide emergency services.
It also lists Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Meghalaya as states where US government employees require special permission to travel outside the capital cities.
Manipur and other northeastern states, the India-Pakistan border region, and Jammu and Kashmir are among areas where travelers are advised to remain extremely cautious.
The advisory explicitly warns against solo travel—especially for women—and highlights that carrying satellite phones or GPS devices is illegal in India, with potential penalties including up to $200,000 in fines or three years in prison.
Additionally, crossing the India-Nepal border by land has been discouraged due to the possibility of immigration-related detentions and fines.
