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State Dept. Travel Warnings India (Nov. 28, 2008)

November 28, 2008

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens about heightened security concerns in India, and advises U.S. citizens traveling to or already in India to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This Travel Alert expires on December 31, 2008.

There are heightened security concerns in India following the November 26 terrorist attacks on hotels, a railway station, restaurant, hospital, and other locations in Mumbai frequented by Westerners. Over 100 persons are believed to have been killed, and hundreds injured. Casualties include both Indian and foreign nationals. Americans appear to have been among those specifically targeted. U.S. citizens should exercise caution and take prudent security measures, including maintaining a high level of vigilance, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, keeping a low profile, varying times and routes for all travel, and ensuring travel documents are current.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, the Department of State urged Americans to defer travel to Mumbai for at least 48-72 hours. American citizens in need of assistance related to the terrorist attacks should call the Department of State or the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai.

Americans throughout India should be vigilant about security at all times. The Embassy and Consulates are actively assessing the countrywide security environment. Americans are advised to monitor local news reports, vary their routes and times in carrying out daily activities, and consider the level of security present when visiting public places, including religious sites, or hotels, restaurants, entertainment and recreation venues. If unattended packages are spotted, American citizens should immediately exit the area and report the packages to authorities.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Americans are also encouraged to read the Country Specific Information for India, available on the Embassy's website at http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov, and also at http://travel.state.gov.

U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" found at http://travel.state.gov.
U.S. citizens may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information:

-- The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407. The Embassy's Internet home page address is http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.

-- The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, 400026, telephone +91-22-2363-3611; fax +91-22-2363-0350. The Internet home page address is http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov.

-- The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006, telephone +91-44-2857-4000; fax +91-44-2811-2027. The Internet home page address is http://chennai.usconsulate.gov.

-- The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91-33-3984-2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335. The Internet home page address is http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov

By Gary Bala on Nov 28, 2008, 10:26 in India Talkzone.

houstongal (Trustee board) says on Nov 30, 2008, 06:16:

The U.S. State Department is known for being ultra-conservative with its security warnings. It's always good advice to be cautious in a foreign country and aware of your surroundings. I walked around my Mumbai neighborhood all weekend and didn't feel any different than the prior weekend. Even saw a few foreigners out shopping.

Hopefully security warnings won't stop those who were planning on visiting India in the coming months.

"It is now official: there's no place on earth where you will not find a Peruvian band." David Sedaris

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Gary Bala says on Nov 30, 2008, 09:08:

I agree with you.

Yet, I also think that people should still be aware of what their own State Dept.'s warnings are, and then make decisions based on all available information, including voices on the ground such as yours, and voices of hope urging that trade, commerce, tourism continue but with obviously greater caution and safety measures.

There are a lot of lessons to learned by everyone from what hapopened, including government officials, security forces and everyone else, and I'm sure that those lessons will be learned, and that over time life, trade, commerce, tourism and rising prosperity will continue to grow and flourish in Mumbai and throughout India.

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Gary Bala says on Dec 2, 2008, 11:00:

As one might expect, tourism to India especially from the US has been affected negatively, but as time passes and the Indian Government begins to respond with better security measures, I'm sure that it will return in full force.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28015169/

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ankits says on Feb 4, 2009, 09:51:

They are being cautious...its good...why risk...even if its 1 percent....that ways US is more unsafe....public firings..here it happens once in a while....

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bala11bala (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 10, 2009, 09:17:

The sad thing that has ever happened in India is the mumbai terrorist attack on taj hotel

http://hubpages.com/hub/Chennai-Beach--Beaches-in-Chennai--Chennai-Mar...

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