US TRAVEL ADVISORY FLAGS RAPE IN INDIA, ASKS AMERICAN VISITORS TO EXERCISE ‘INCREASED CAUTION’

Thu 18 November 2021:

In its latest travel advisory for American travellers coming to India, the US has highlighted “rape” as a major concern, thereby putting India in the ‘Level 2’ category of travel destinations.

The advisory, which was issued by the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the US State Department on 15 November, has asked American travellers to exercise “increased caution” while travelling to India, as it said, “Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites and in other locations”.

 This is not the first time that the US embassy has flagged women’s safety. In March 2019, it had said that Indian authorities report rape as one of the fastest-growing crimes in India and asked to exercise increased caution. “Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites and in other locations,” the advisory had read.  

The US State Department follows four categories of travel advisories for countries. Level 2 denotes “exercise increased caution”, while Level 1 means “exercise normal precautions”. Level 3 indicates “reconsider travel”, and finally Level 4 is used for destinations where the advise is “do not travel”.