Canada issues advisory for citizens travelling to India
Ottawa, February 29, 2020 : Canada has issued travel advisory for its citizens who are visiting India. It is asked citizens to desist from travelling to border states including Punjab.
According to advisory citizens have been advised to avoid non essential travel to North eastern states including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland because these are conflict areas. It said that citizens should also avoid travelling to Jammu and Kashmir, due to sporadic terrorist activity and violent demonstrations. It also said that citizens should also avoid travelling to areas within 10 kilometer of the border with Pakistan in states like Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan. It has excluded Amritsar, Bikaner and Jaisalmer from this advisory.
It told citizens that decision to travel is their choice and they are responsible for their personal safety abroad. The Government said that its takes safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely information in its Travel Advice to enable them to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.
The full text of the advisory issued by the Government of Canada
Risk level(s)
India - Exercise a high degree of caution
Exercise a high degree of caution in India due to a continuing threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country at all times.
Parts of Northeastern India - Avoid non-essential travel
Avoid non-essential travel to the following states, due to conflict:
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Assam
• Manipur
• Meghalaya
• Mizoram
• Nagaland
Safety and security situation
Western border with Bangladesh - Avoid all travel
Avoid all travel to areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland bordering Bangladesh and Myanmar, due to significant conflict.
Safety and security situation
Jammu and Kashmir - Avoid all travel
Avoid all travel to the states of Jammu and Kashmir, due to sporadic terrorist activity and violent demonstrations. This advisory excludes travelling to Ladakh via Manali, and air travel to Leh.
Safety and security situation
Border areas with Pakistan - Avoid all travel
Avoid all travel to areas within 10 km of the border with Pakistan in the following states, due to the possibility of landmines and unexploded ordnance, as well as unmarked border areas:
• Gujarat
• Punjab
• Rajasthan
The Wagah border crossing and towns farther from the border, such as Amritsar in Punjab and Bikaner and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, are excluded from this advisory.