India

Terrorist attacks can occur anywhere at any time in India with little or no warning. We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in India at this time because of the high risk of terrorist activity by militant groups. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

Media reporting in 2011 notes that there is a continued threat of terrorist attacks in India, particularly in major cities including New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

On 7 September 2011, a bomb exploded outside New Delhi's High Court, killing a number of people and injuring many others. Australians should monitor the media for further developments and follow the instructions of local authorities.

On 13 July 2011, bombings occurred at Zaveri Bazaar, the Opera area and Dadar in Mumbai. At least 17 people were killed and over a hundred injured. In major cities, including Mumbai and New Dehli, enhanced security measures have been put in place at transport hubs, such as airports and railway stations, and government buildings.

We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning to attack India, including in major cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai. Terrorist attacks in India sometimes involve multiple, consecutive explosions. Many past attacks in Indian cities have been indiscriminate rather than directed against a particular target. Possible targets include public places, including hotels and tourist locations, in New Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities. Indian political and security interests may also be targeted.

In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. In the past, terrorists have targeted areas frequented by tourists, such as hotels, markets and tourist sites, and Indian security and political interests, and could do so again. Take into consideration the level of security provided when deciding where to visit. Security arrangements at airports have been enhanced, reflecting the threat of terrorism to Indian aviation interests.

Possible targets include tourist sites (such as the Red Fort), commercial areas, public spaces and diplomatic premises, events and places known to be frequented by foreigners, restaurants and cafes, entertainment and recreation venues, cinemas, prominent government buildings (such as the Parliament), offices of political parties, places of worship, markets and shopping malls, international hotels, hotels, guest houses, public transport networks including airports, trains and railway stations, schools, religious sites, including temples (such as the Lotus and Kalkaji Temples), pilgrimages and festivals. Attacks have included explosions at market places, sporting events, local courts, a cinema and local transport networks. These risks apply in all of India’s cities and tourist centres.

The Indian Government has in the past issued public alert warnings about possible terrorist attacks. On 13 September 2011, the Indian Government issued a public alert warning of possible attacks in public places, including airports, shopping malls, metro stations, railway stations and markets. You should take such alert warnings seriously and avoid any areas identified as a possible target of attack.

Major secular and religious holidays and periods of religious significance, such as Ramadan, Eid, Diwali, Christmas and New Year’s Eve could provide terrorist groups an opportunity or pretext to stage an attack. You should also be vigilant in the period surrounding days of national significance, such as Republic Day (26 January) and Independence Day (15 August), and other notable anniversaries and observances as militants have in the past marked such occasions with attacks.

Terrorists are active in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly during the summer months. In the past, tourist buses and groups have been targeted. The annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Amarnath Shrine, conducted from June to August, has been the target of terrorist attack in the past. See also Civil Unrest/Political Tension (below).

Maoist insurgents (or ‘Naxalites’) are primarily active in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa, primarily targeting the Indian Government and security forces, infrastructure and government buildings. Civilians have been kidnapped, killed and injured in suspected Naxalite attacks. Naxals may also call strikes in local areas affecting rail and road transport networks. On 6 April 2010 Maoist insurgents reportedly killed 76 members of the security forces in an ambush in Chhattisgarh state. On 29 June 2010 a further 26 members of the security forces were reportedly killed by insurgents in the same area. Naxals were thought to be responsible for derailing a train in West Bengal on 28 May 2010 that killed 150 people and injured a number of others. Visitors to these areas should monitor the local media and remain vigilant.

Terrorist attacks have also occurred in the state of Rajasthan; in Ahmedabad in Gujarat; outside a market in Alipurdar, West Bengal; and in Chhattisgarh.

Recent incidents of terrorism include:

• On 7 September 2011, a bomb exploded outside New Delhi's High Court, killing a number of people and injuring many others.
• On 13 July 2011, bombings occurred at Zaveri Bazaar, the Opera area and Dadar in Mumbai. At least 17 people were killed and over a hundred injured.
• On 7 December 2010, an explosion occurred in Varanasi during a popular Hindu festival. The explosion and subsequent stampede resulted in two deaths and injuries to over 30 people, including six foreigners.
• On 19 September 2010, two foreign nationals were injured in a shooting incident at the Jama Masjid Mosque in New Delhi.
• On 17 April 2010 two explosions outside a cricket stadium immediately prior to the commencement of an Indian Premier League match in Bangalore injured eight members of the security forces.
• On 13 February 2010, a bomb exploded at the German Bakery in the Koregaon Park area of Pune, 100km south-east of Mumbai. Sixteen people, including three foreigners, were killed and 70 were injured. The bakery is well-known and popular with Westerners.
• In November 2008 more than 170 people, including two Australians, were killed in a series of coordinated attacks targeting places frequented by foreigners in Mumbai. The targets included two luxury hotels, the Oberoi-Trident and the Taj Mahal Palace; a Jewish centre; the Victoria Terminus railway station; a hospital and a cafe.
• In October 2008, a series of explosions occurred in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam, including Guwahati. Over 70 people were killed and hundreds injured.
• In September 2008 five explosions occurred in New Delhi, killing 24 people and injuring almost 100.

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers. For more information about kidnapping, see our Kidnapping Threat travel bulletin.

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers. The Australian Government considers that paying a ransom increases the risk of further kidnappings, including of other Australians. If you do decide to travel to an area where there is a particular threat of kidnapping, you should ensure you have personal security measures in place, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance.

Violent protests and demonstrations occur frequently throughout India. Communal violence has in the past claimed a significant number of lives, Australians could be caught up in attacks directed at others. You should avoid locations where protests and demonstrations are being held while in India as they may become violent. You should be aware that international events, political developments in the region and local events can trigger demonstrations in India.

Religious ceremonies and gatherings attended by large crowds can result in dangerous and life threatening stampedes. In response to such events, Indian authorities may impose curfews and restrict activity in the affected location.

You should monitor international and local media for information concerning your safety and security and to follow the instructions of local authorities. You should obey any curfews imposed by the authorities in response to civil unrest.

There have been sporadic, sometimes violent, protests and strikes in the State of Andhra Pradesh, including in the capital Hyderabad, in relation to the proposed formation of a separate state of ‘Telangana’. Further protests and strikes are possible, which may result in disruption to government and transport services. Australians are urged to avoid any protests, to monitor developments in the state through international and local media, and to follow any instructions given by authorities.

Outbreaks of anti-Christian violence have taken place in India. Religious missionary activity may attract resentment and is illegal without an appropriate visa. In January 1999, an Australian missionary and his two young sons were murdered in the eastern state of Orissa.

Jammu and Kashmir: We advise you not to travel to the state of Jammu and Kashmir (north India), other than to the Ladakh region via Manali, or by air to the region’s main city of Leh, due to frequent armed clashes, terrorist activities and violent demonstrations. Attacks have targeted tourists and tourist buses. Foreigners have been kidnapped in Kashmir.

There is an ongoing dispute between India and neighbouring Pakistan regarding Jammu and Kashmir. Serious security problems remain in the capital Srinagar and other parts of the state.

Continuing civil unrest, attacks and violent demonstrations in Jammu and Kashmir have resulted in a large number of deaths, with more than 100 people reportedly killed between June and September 2010. The arrest, detention or death of those involved in protests could become catalysts for further violence. Curfews can be imposed in the Kashmir Valley at short notice, resulting in restrictions on movement, disruption to road transport and suspension of flights in and out of the area.

Borders with Pakistan: We advise you not to travel in the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan (northern and western India), other than at the international border crossing at Atari, India and Wagah, Pakistan. Both India and Pakistan maintain a strong military presence at the border. Landmines pose a serious risk along some stretches of the India-Pakistan border.

North-eastern states of Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the north-eastern states of Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur. If you do decide to travel to these areas, you should exercise extreme caution. Armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion and terrorism occur frequently in these states. Insurgent groups have attacked civilians and bombed buildings. There is also a risk from insurgent groups in rural areas of these states.

Public transport, including buses, trains and railways, police stations and markets have been targeted in terrorist attacks in the north-east, including in Karbi Angalong and Guwahati, the largest city in Assam. On 8 and 9 November 2010, a series of attacks across Assam killed 23 people, including at markets and on an inter-district bus. In April 2009, a series of bomb attacks in Guwahati killed six people and injured over 20. In late October 2008, a series of explosions in Assam, including in Guwahati, killed more than 70 people and injured hundreds.

Women travelling alone should take particular care in all parts of India. Women travellers often receive unwanted attention and we continue to receive reports of verbal and physical harassment by groups of men against Western women. There have been a number of sexual offences reported against foreign women, including in New Delhi and Goa. Women should exercise vigilance, and avoid walking alone at night in less populous and unlit areas, including city streets, village lanes and beaches. We have received reports of harassment against women travelling alone at night, particularly in taxis and auto rickshaws.

There are persistent allegations and media reports of sexual misconduct involving religious cults and their leaders in India.

Petty theft is common in crowded areas such as markets, airports and bus and railway stations. There have been cases where property has been stolen from travellers on overnight or long-distance trains. Thieves on motorcycles commonly snatch shoulder bags and jewellery.

Travellers have been robbed and assaulted after consuming 'spiked' drinks or food. Incidents of tourists being robbed and assaulted while riding in taxis and rickshaws have been reported. Taxis already carrying passengers should be avoided.

Some travellers have been intimidated or tricked into buying overpriced items after accepting unsolicited offers of assistance, particularly help with shopping for jewellery, gems and carpets.

Hikers have been attacked and have disappeared in the Kulu/Manali district in Himachal Pradesh, particularly on more remote trekking routes. Hikers are strongly urged not to hike alone and to obtain detailed information in advance about proposed hiking routes. Australians should register their presence with the local police and online with us.

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passport.

There are concerns about the safety and maintenance standards of commercial helicopters operating in the north-eastern states of India.

For further information, please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.

There are strong codes of dress and behaviour in India, particularly in northern India and at religious sites, and you should take care not to offend.

Physical contact between men and women in public is not considered appropriate. If in any doubt, seek local advice.

Homosexual acts are no longer illegal, but same-sex relationships are not widely accepted.

The Indian constitution does not allow dual nationality. However, local law allows persons of Indian origin in a number of countries, including Australia, to apply for Overseas Citizenship of India. Further advice is available from the Overseas Citizenship of India section of the Indian Government's Ministry of Home Affairs website. In some instances, access to Australian consular assistance by Australian/Indian dual nationals may be limited by Indian authorities, particularly in cases of arrest or detention.

Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

On 18 September 2011, an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck the north-eastern state of Sikkim. It caused damage and a number of deaths in the states of Sikkim, Bihar and West Bengal. Transportation routes, power and telecommunications systems could be affected in some areas. Water, food supplies and emergency care may also be affected. If you are in the area, you should monitor local media and weather reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Annual monsoon rains from June to October can cause extensive flooding and landslides, particularly in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the north and east, and in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in the south. In the past, floods have affected millions of people, resulting in many deaths. During these periods, fresh drinking water and food can be in short supply. The high risk of contracting a water-borne disease continues after the water recedes. Transport and communication infrastructure can also be affected. If you are travelling during the monsoon season, you should contact your tour operators to check whether tourist services at your planned destination have been affected. For further information see the India Meteorological Department website.

Parts of India are in active seismic zones and are subject to earthquakes. Information on volcanic activity can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. Landslides and flooding occur in the monsoon season (from June to October) and may disrupt essential services, such as power, water and transport.

Coastal and some inland areas of India are vulnerable to cyclones which can cause coastal storm surges. You can obtain up to date advice on cyclone activity from the Indian Meteorological Department.

All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.

In the event of a natural disaster, follow the advice of local authorities.

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or child care facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or child care facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.