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Reviewed: 17 June 2009, 15:15 NZDT
Still current at:
10 February 2010
There is extreme risk to your security in Jammu, Kashmir, Tripura, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland and along the India-Pakistan international border and we advise against all travel to these areas. Terrorist activity, political violence and violent crime pose an extreme risk to security.
There is a high risk to your security in Bihar and Jharkhand due to violent crime in rural areas and we advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel to these areas.
There some risk to your security elsewhere in India due to the threat from terrorism and we advise caution.
There is a significant threat from terrorism in India and New Zealanders travelling in India should take account of the potential for terrorist attacks by militant groups. Such attacks may be directed at national institutions within major cities, religious sites, festivals, tourist areas, hotels, markets, fairs, major sporting events, and public transport. Recent terrorist attacks have targeted public places that are frequented by Western tourists. Further attacks cannot be ruled out, including in large cities and popular tourist destinations such as New Delhi and Goa.
New Zealanders should exercise a high degree of caution and security awareness when travelling in India and avoid large public gatherings and demonstrations. Significant dates (such as religious festivals or dates of national significance) could be a particular focus and travellers should avoid national monuments and major tourist sites on these days.
On 4 December 2008, the Indian Bureau of Civil Aviation Security issued a public warning that airports in India may be targeted by terrorists intent on conducting attacks or hijackings. Airport security across all airports in India has been strengthened. Travellers should be aware that additional security measures may result in travel delays.
On 26 and 27 November 2008, terrorists attacked a number of locations in Mumbai killing over 170 people and injuring hundreds of others. The attacks targeted locations frequented by tourists including the railway station, Taj Mahal and Oberoi Hotels, and restaurants frequented by tourists.
On 27 September 2008, a bomb exploded in South Delhi (near the Jahaj Mahal flower market) killing one child and injuring 18 people. On 13 September, a series of bomb blasts in three popular market areas in New Delhi killed 21 people and injured up to 100 others. This is the third time in recent years that New Delhi has been targeted, with several crowded market areas bombed in October 2005.
On 29 July 2008, local authorities in Surat, in the State of Gujarat successfully defused a number of bombs across the city. On 26 July, a series of bombs exploded in Ahmedabad, also in the State of Gujarat, killing at least 40 people and injuring over 100. Local authorities also confirmed that up to five bombs exploded in Bangalore on 25 July, killing one person and injuring six.
On 13 May 2008, a series of bombs exploded in the walled city area of old Jaipur in Rajasthan State killing 60 people and injuring more than 150. The blasts occurred in crowded market areas close to Hindu temples and popular tourist sites. This is the second incident in Rajasthan following the death of three people in a bomb blast at a religious site in Ajmer in October 2007.
We advise against all travel to Jammu and Kashmir (with the exceptions of Ladakh via Manali or air to Leh), due to ongoing political violence there, and to the immediate vicinity of the India-Pakistan international border and the Line of Control (where a ceasefire is in place but risks, particularly from landmines, remain). We also advise against all travel to the northeastern states of Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur and the need for additional caution if travelling in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram. On 1 January 2009, three bombs exploded in Guwahati in the north-eastern state of Assam killing five people and injuring thirty.
The risk of politically motivated violence elsewhere in India remains. We advise New Zealanders in India to closely monitor developments that might affect their safety. We recommend you avoid all demonstrations, protests and rallies as they could result in violent confrontations. You should follow the instructions of the local authorities at all times. We advise against travelling alone in India and recommend you exercise a high degree of personal security awareness at all times.
New Zealanders resident or travelling in India should have comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies in place that include provision for medical evacuation by air.
New Zealanders travelling or resident in India are strongly encouraged to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or if already registered, update their details.
See our regional advice for South Asia
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Contact details are
Street Address Sir Edmund Hillary Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Telephone +91 11 2688 3170 Facsimile +91 11 2688 3165
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Office Hours Mon - Fri 0830 - 1700 hrs
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Road, Chennai 600 086, India
Telephone +91 44 2811 2472 Facsimile +91
44 2811 2449
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Floor, 5 Altamount Road, Mumbai 400 026, India
Telephone +91 22 2384 0022 Telephone/Facsimile +91
22 2387 0031
Email madhavji@bom8.vsnl.net.in
