America advises caution while travelling to India

NEW DELHI: The USA has issued a new travel warning for its citizens visiting Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, and further said extremist elements are also “active” in India in what would be message to its citizens to apply caution while visiting India. This is first such travel advisory issued by the Trump Presidency for the US citizens.

But the advisory issued on Monday does not refer to the type of extremist elements in India. It also does not mention states or cities to be avoided by the US citizens while touring India.

People familiar with the issue told ET that reference to extremist elements in US advisory is regarding Islamist terror groups and operatives that are opposed to USA including those based in Pakistan. While Naxal-related attacks have drastically reduced in India, the US government also remains cautious about Left wing extremism, according to the persons quoted above. Besides the increase in the number of Indians joining the Islamic State and governments action against those elements are also closely observed by the American government.

“The US government assesses terrorist groups in South Asia may be planning attacks in the region, possibly against US facilities, citizens and interests. US citizens should avoid travel to Afghanistan, as no region in the country is immune from violence,” the US State Department said in its worldwide caution.

“A number of established terrorist organisations, indigenous sectarian groups, and other militants pose a danger to US citizens in Pakistan.” “Extremist elements are also active in India, as outlined in a recent emergency message. Terrorists have hit a wide variety of targets and institutions in Bangladesh,” it added.