Updated State Department Advisory

Heraclitus

For those of you who care about these things, the U.S. State Department has just issued its first new travel advisory for India in 18 months. Much of it is largely unchanged (stay out of Kashmir, avoid political demonstrations, make sure you have med evac insurance, etc.) The only significant change that I can see is one of tone (a bit more negative), especially vis-a-vis crime. The State Department now counsels: " travelers are cautioned not to travel alone in India." I don't recall reading THAT line before! What the hell does that mean? Does the presence of my wife mean I am no longer "alone" or do they want me to join some goddamn packaged group tour?

State Department advisories are often derided for their CYA ("cover your ass") approach -- they throw in everything but the kitchen sink to avoid later criticism should something unpleasant occur. So. . .many travelers view them with great skepticism. You can find the newest advisory here:

http://travel.state.gov/india.html

Gerlinde

Wow!
And this is the country where I am living for more than 10 years?!
I also feel lots of shortcomings but I never felt as unsafe as in former times, reaching my house at night in Hamburg/Germany.

"In December 1999, an Indian Airlines plane carrying one American citizen was hijacked en route from Kathmandu to New Delhi. The American was not injured. In December 2000, a terrorist attack on Delhi's Red Fort, a major tourist attraction, left three Indians dead. While no U.S. citizens were among the victims, other foreign visitors were injured."

This is true but what has it to do with traveller's advice? Would the US administration like to have similar advices from the governments of other states like:
"In September 2001 several American Airlines planes, carrying so many Indians etc........."

Sorry, one can really overdo it! You can get killed wherever you are, anyhow life ends with death - earlier or later. But while travelling keep the usual caution and enjoy!
Otherwise retire to your inner Afganisthan - into a cave!
Thanks that you put this up!
Gerlinde

Heraclitus

I NEVER rely solely on the State Department advisories for travel security advice. Here are links for the other travel advisories I use:

British Foreign Office

http://193.114.50.10/travel/countryadvice.asp?IN

Australian Foreign Office

http://www.dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/India

Canadian Foreign Office

http://voyage.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/destinations/menu_e.htm

German Foreign Office (Auswaertiges Amt) In German:

http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/www/d...6 0&type_id=4

jgbrowning

The next time you decide to be dangerously funny, please give me
a bit of a warning. I almost have to go to hernia surgery now!


Really people just remember that here in the USA 4% of our
population in JAIL. roughly 1 out of every 20 is a criminal. When you look at our crime rates, murder, theft.. etc.. i cant see how anyone would think it MORE dangerous in india.

anyway my 2 cents.

joe browning