From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- India Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 19:18:06 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1292 Path: world!bzs Message-ID: <970328191805_76702.1202_CHN55-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: bzs@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 179 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - India ============================================================ India - Consular Information Sheet July 30, 1996 Country Description: India is an economically developing democratic republic. Tourist facilities varying in degree of comfort and amenities are widely available in the major population centers and main tourist areas. Entry Requirements: A passport and visa are required for entry into India for tourism or business. A visa must be obtained prior to entry at an Indian embassy or consulate abroad. There are no provisions for visas upon arrival and those arriving in India without visas that have the correct validity dates and number of entries are subject to deportation. The U.S. Embassy can offer very little assistance when U.S. citizens arrive without visas. For further entry information the traveler can contact the Embassy of India at 2536, Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 939-9849 or 939-9806 or the Indian Consulates in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Houston. Terrorism: In July 1995, six foreign tourists, including two Americans, were kidnapped by terrorists in Kashmir. One hostage was brutally murdered and one escaped; the remaining hostages have not been released. In 1994, several tourists including an American were held for weeks by Kashmiri militants before police rescued them. In 1995 and 1996, several bomb explosions in New Delhi killed and injured a number of people. No U.S. citizens were among the victims, but other foreign visitors were reported injured. Areas of Instability: Countrywide -- The potential exists for outbreaks of communal and inter-caste violence in most major cities. Major civil disturbances can pose risks to a traveler's personal safety and can disrupt transportation systems and city services. In response to communal violence, Indian authorities may occasionally impose curfews. In addition, political rallies and demonstrations in India have the potential for violence especially during periods directly preceding and following elections. Foreigners have not been the targets of either communal or political violence in India, and are principally at risk only of becoming inadvertent victims. U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy or the nearest U.S. Consulate for further information about the current situation in areas where they wish to travel. Kashmir -- The Department of State strongly urges private U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the Kashmir Valley area of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. In addition to the American and other foreign tourists taken hostage (and one murdered) in Kashmir by terrorists in July 1995, in July 1994, an American tourist was fatally shot in Srinagar. In June 1994, militants held two British hikers hostage for eighteen days before releasing them. Within the state, the Ladakh region has been unaffected by terrorist violence. Srinagar, the Kashmir Valley and the city of Jammu remain dangerous places where terrorist activities and violent civil disturbances continue. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to the State of Jammu and Kashmir without permission from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. Northeast States -- Sporadic incidents of violence by ethnic insurgent groups, including the bombing of buses and trains, are reported from disturbed parts of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya. While U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted, visitors are cautioned not to travel outside major cities at night. Security laws are in force, and security personnel have been deployed by New Delhi in several Northeast States. Check with the U.S. Consulate in Calcutta (see address below) for information on current conditions. India-Pakistan Border -- Tensions run high between India and Pakistan, particularly over Kashmir. The only official India-Pakistan border crossing point is between Atari, India, and Wagah, Pakistan. A Pakistani visa is required for entry to Pakistan. Restricted Areas: Permission from the Indian government (from Indian diplomatic missions abroad or in some cases from the Ministry of Home Affairs) is required to visit the states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, parts of Kulu District and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh, border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, areas of Uttar Pradesh, the area west of National Highway No. 15 running from Ganganagar to Sanchar in Rajasthan, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Union Territory of the Laccadive Islands. Medical Facilities: Adequate medical care is available in the major population centers, but is usually limited in the rural areas of the country. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate payment in cash for health services. Travelers, particularly those with ongoing or potential health problems may wish to obtain supplemental health insurance which specifically covers overseas treatment and medical evacuation. Additional information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559 or visit the CDC home page on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov. Information on Crime: Petty crime, especially theft of personal property, is common. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to South Asia." They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Drug Penalties: Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they travel. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced. Convicted offenders in India can expect a minimum jail sentence of ten years and fines. Customs Considerations: Indian customs authorities strictly enforce the laws and regulations governing the declaration, importation or possession of gold and gold objects. Travelers have sometimes been detained for possession of undeclared gold objects. Mountain Climbing: Both India and Pakistan claim an area of the Karakoram mountain range which includes the Siachen Glacier. The two countries have established military outposts in the region, and armed clashes have occurred. Because of this situation, U.S. citizens traveling to or climbing peaks anywhere in the disputed areas face significant risk of injury and death. The disputed area includes the following peaks: Rimo Peak, Apsarasas I, II and III, Tegam Kangri I, II and III, Suingri Kangri, Ghiant I and II, Indira Col and Sia Kangri. Piloting Civil Aircraft: In past years there have been a number of incidents in which civil aircraft have been detained for deviating from approved flight plans. U.S. citizens piloting civil aircraft in India must file any changes to previous flight plans and may not overfly restricted airspace. Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: Travel by road in India is dangerous. Outside major cities, main roads and highways are poorly maintained and always congested. Even main roads often have only two lanes, with poor visibility and inadequate warning markers. Heavy traffic including overloaded trucks and buses, scooters, pedestrians and livestock, is the norm. Travel at night is particularly hazardous. In March, a tour bus crashed at night near the city of Agra, claiming the lives of five Americans. Embassy Location and Registration: U.S. citizens may register at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi or at one of the U.S. consulates in India, obtain updated information on travel and security in India and Bhutan and request a copy of the booklet, "Guidelines for American Travelers in India." The U.S. Embassy is located in the capital city of New Delhi on Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri 110021; telephone (91) (11) 6113033 or 6889033. There are U.S. Consulates General in Mumbai (Bombay) at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai (Bombay) 400026, telephone (91) (22) 363-3611; in Calcutta at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Calcutta 700071, telephone (91) (33) 242-3611 through 242-3615 and 242-2336(7); and in Madras on Mount Road, Madras 600006, telephone (91) (44) 827-3040. The work week is Monday through Friday. No. 96-138 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet for India dated November 25, 1994, to update information on the situation in Kashmir and the Northeast States; provide a caution against arriving without a valid visa; provide updated health information; add information on traffic safety and road conditions; provide the new telephone numbers for the Embassy of India in Washington D.C., the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the U.S. Consulate General in Madras; and recognize the city's name change from Bombay to Mumbai. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. 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