US warns citizens of increased ISIS threat at popular spots in India

NEW DELHI: The US for the first time has issued a warning regarding threats from Islamic State across India and asked its citizens to avoid places usually frequented by them.

"Recent Indian media reports indicate ISIL’s desire to attack targets in India. The US Embassy warns of an increased threat to places in India frequented by Westerners, such as religious sites, markets, and festival venues," according to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Delhi on Tuesday night.

"All US citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as detailed in the State Department’s Worldwide caution of September 9, 2016," the Embassy further warned.

While the US Embassy in the past has asked its citizens to avoid places where terror groups can attack in India this is the first such time that a warning on ISIS threats in India has been issued by Washington. This may have ramifications for other Western embassies in India who may issue similar warnings to its citizens impacting travel plans and tourism here. Besides US may like to expand its counter-terror partnership with India to combat ISIL.

US has issued such warnings in few other countries of South Asia on ISIL.