The Australian government on Thursday issued travel advisories to its people travelling to India this festive season. The advisory warns Australian citizens to exercise high degree of caution in India because of the high risk of terrorist activity by militant groups. India has raised objection to the advisory.
India appeals to withdraw travel advisory: Minister of External Affairs S M Krishna, who is in Perth, Australia to attend the CHOGM Foreign Ministers Meeting, held talks with his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd and raised the issue in detail, official sources said. Responding to Krishna, Rudd said such advisories were "routine" advice and "we do not have any information of any specific threat to share with India."
Other countries to issue advisories: In the wake of many countries, including US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada issuing travel advisories to their citizens, India has taken a serious note of the issue, maintaining such notices do not reflect the reality and have adverse affect on the tourism to the country
Highlights of the advisory: Australian government says that it advises citizens 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. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning to attack India. Many past attacks in Indian cities have been indiscriminate and not directed at a particular target. Possible targets include public places, including hotels and tourist locations, in New Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities. Indian political and security interests may also be targeted. In the past, terrorists have targeted areas frequented by tourists, such as hotels, markets and tourist sites, and Indian security and political interests, and could do so again. Major secular and religious holidays could provide terrorist groups an opportunity or pretext to stage an attack. Violent protests and demonstrations occur frequently throughout India. Australians are urged to avoid protests, to monitor international and local media, and to 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 Atari-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. This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Terrorism (updated information on recent warnings issued by Indian authorities) and Health Issues (reports of Japanese encephalitis cases in a number of Indian states). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
What are travel advisories and what is their purpose? : Australian government explains that Travel advisories are just an advice. They are not warnings and they are not mandatory. In addition to information about security, the travel advisories provide useful, practical tips on travelling such as health, local laws, local customs and entry and exit requirements. We do not and cannot make decisions for you about whether, when or where you should travel. The decision to travel is a personal responsibility and Australians are responsible for their own safety. Our travel advisories aim to help you make your own well-informed travel decisions. In issuing travel advice we do not 'single out' countries. Rather, we maintain a travel advice on most countries that are popular destinations for Australians in all regions of the world. Travel advice - like on-line registration of your travel details and travel insurance - are tools to help you avoid difficulties while travelling. We recommend all Australians check the travel advice for their destinations, both before leaving Australia and while travelling.
