US issues 'exercise increased caution' advisory for its citizens travelling to India

The U.S. State Department has launched its new travel advisory system that will provide U.S. citizens with clear, timely, and reliable safety and security information worldwide.

The U.S. also issued 'exercise increased caution' advisory for its citizens travelling to India.

Under the new system, every country will have a travel advisory, providing levels of advice ranging from 1 to 4.

The U.S. Department has placed India under level 2 category and advised U.S. travelers to exercise increased caution due to 'crime and terrorism' in the country.

However, the U.S. travelers travelling to India have been asked not to travel to the state of Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest.

The advisory also warns US citizens not to travel within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict.

"Indian authorities report rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites and in other locations. Terrorist or armed groups are active in East Central India, primarily in rural areas. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities," the State Department said in its new India travel advisory.

"The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in rural areas from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to these areas," it added.