Washington: In a detailed advisory issued on June 16, the U.S. State Department highlighted serious safety concerns for American travelers, including the growing incidents of violent crime and sexual assault across popular tourist destinations. “Rape is one of the fastest-growing crimes in India,” the advisory noted, while cautioning that such attacks can occur at hotels, public transport hubs, and even marketplaces.

The advisory strongly warned against travel to specific parts of Central and Eastern India, particularly areas affected by Maoist insurgency, known locally as Naxalism. Regions spanning from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal were flagged as high-risk zones due to recurring attacks on government forces and threats to civilian safety.

In addition, U.S. citizens were advised against traveling to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir—except the eastern Ladakh region and Leh—due to persistent threats of terrorism and civil unrest. Manipur was also listed under the “Do Not Travel” category owing to ethnic-based conflict and widespread violence that has displaced communities.

The advisory also pointed out limitations in consular support, stating that the U.S. government has restricted ability to provide emergency assistance in rural areas and conflict zones. U.S. government employees working in India are now required to obtain prior approval to visit large portions of the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Meghalaya, eastern Maharashtra, and eastern Madhya Pradesh. Exceptions apply only for capital cities within these regions.