Asia and Oceania

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• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

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Safety and security

Terrorism/Security

There is a high general threat from terrorism throughout India. Recent attacks in Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Bangalore have targeted public places, including luxury hotels, railway stations, markets and places of worship. Future attacks may target public places frequented by Westerners and expatriates, including in the major metropolitan centres (Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai) and tourist areas such as Goa.  Security levels have been increased at major airports. Travellers should therefore expect delays and allow more time when checking in.

British nationals should exercise particular caution when in the vicinity of key government installations and tourist sites, attending public events (including religious events), and in public places including hotels, airports, shopping malls, markets and on public transport (including buses, trains, trams and the metro).

You should take care to be extra vigilant in your movements in the lead up to and on days of national significance, such as Republic Day (annually on 26 January), Independence Day (annually on 15 August), Ramadan (11 Aug to 9 Sept), Eid (10/11 September) and Diwali (5 November) as terrorists have used such occasions to mount attacks in the past. Celebration venues, prominent government buildings, public transport, places of worship and public areas are potential targets for such attacks .Travellers should expect an increased security presence.

Since July 2006 there have been terrorist attacks in major cities including Mumbai, New Delhi, Jaipur, Faizabad, Varanasi, Lucknow and Hyderabad. Some of the sites targeted are frequented by tourists. These attacks, often in clusters and at peak shopping time in the early evening, have included:

• On 16 October 2009, a bomb exploded in the town of Margao, Goa, killing one person.
• From 26-29 November 2008 terrorists attacked a number of sites in Mumbai, including luxury hotels, a railway station and a restaurant.  Over 190 people were killed and more than 325 were injured. British Nationals were among the casualties.
• On 30 October 2008, 11 bombs exploded in Assam. Areas affected were Guwahati and the Barpeta, Bongaigoan and Kokrajhar districts. 77 people were killed and over 300 were injured.
• On 21 October 2008, a bomb exploded in Imphal, Manipur killing 17 people and injuring many others.
• On 27 September 2008, a bomb exploded in New Delhi.  Two people were killed and 24 were injured. 
• On 13 September 2008 five bombs exploded in New Delhi, 30 people were killed and 90 were injured.
• On 26 July 2008 a series of bombs exploded in Ahmadabad, Gujarat and the surrounding area resulting in up to 49 fatalities and over a 100 injured.
• On 25 July 2008 there were a series of bomb blasts in Bangalore, South Eastern India resulting in at least two fatalities and many more injuries.  
• On 13 May 2008, there were a series of bomb blasts in Jaipur, western India, resulting in 60 fatalities and 200 casualties.

In some areas there are terrorist incidents virtually on a daily basis.  The areas most affected are Jammu and Kashmir (excluding Ladakh) and the North East.  A 30-year insurgency campaign by an ultra nationalist group in Assam continues with frequent bombings and random killings. Violent extremist groups are also active in the rural areas of Bihar, Jharkland, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa.

Further details on these attacks are available in the Local Travel section of this advice.

See our Terrorism abroad page for more details.

Crime

Beware of the risk of street crime and take personal security measures including:

• Taking particular care to safeguard your passport and credit/ATM cards, particularly when travelling by bus and train.  There has been an increase in handbag snatching in Delhi.
• A photocopy of your passport, Indian visa and flight ticket should be kept separately from the originals when travelling.
• Be aware of what you are eating and drinking.  There have been reports of travellers being drugged and robbed, particularly on trains.
• Do not leave your luggage unattended on trains if you step off for a few minutes at transit stations.
• Be wary of confidence tricksters, particularly in Agra and Jaipur. They promise a substantial cash reward for delivery of jewellery abroad but only in return for an initial deposit.  The jewellery is invariably worthless and the deposit, often amounting to thousands of pounds, is lost.
• Avoid walking alone in isolated spots in the popular tourist areas, particularly after dark. 
• There have been incidents of sexual offences against women in Goa, Delhi and Rajasthan, a number of whom have been British nationals.  Female travellers are advised take particular care and to take basic personal safety precautions. For more guidance about this see "Women travellers" and "Rape and sexual assault overseas".
• Be aware that drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK.

For more general information see our Victims of crime abroad page.

Political Situation

India Country Profile

Political rallies and demonstrations are frequent throughout the country and can turn violent, particularly around elections. Transport and Public services may also be disrupted at short notice. Check whether elections are taking place in the area you are visiting by logging on to the Election Commission of India's website.

Local Travel

Jammu & Kashmir

We advise against all travel to or through rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir, other than to Ladakh, and against all but essential travel to Srinagar.  If you intend to travel to Srinagar then you should only travel there by air. Despite an overall decline in violence in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, there remains a high risk of unpredictable violence, including bombings, grenade attacks, shootings and kidnapping, and a substantial security force presence.There is also a risk of kidnapping. Militants took an Indian journalist hostage in 2006.

You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.

Recent significant incidents include:

• On 6/7 January 2010, three people were killed and nine injured when terrorists attacked police and entered a hotel near Lal Chowk in central Srinagar.
  
• 15 December 2009: Around 22 people, including eight policemen, were injured in violent clashes between protestors and security forces across the Kashmir Valley. Five shops were reportedly razed in Srinagar during the clashes.
• 11 December 2009: Sixty people, including 20 policemen, were injured in violent clashes between protestors and security forces in Srinagar.
  
• 12 September 2009: Four people, including three policemen, were killed and 18 others injured in a car bomb blast in the Rainawari area in Srinagar.
• June-July 2009: Around 160 people, including several policemen, were reported injured in separate violent clashes between protestors and security forces in Srinagar, Shopian and Baramulla in the Kashmir Valley. There were three grenade attacks in Sopore and Baramulla (no reported casualties), and two grenade attacks in Srinager that injured 17 people including eight security forces personnel.
• April-May 2009: Around 25 people were reported injured in separate clashes between protestors and security forces in Srinagar in late April and early May (on 24 April, 3 and 8 May). Three people were injured in clashes at Sopore on 24 April.
• 24 February 2009: At least 15 people, including five policemen and a journalist, were injured in clashes between protestors and security forces in Srinagar.

There is the danger of land mines in some border areas.

Other Northern States

We advise against all travel in the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan other than travel across the international border at Wagah. Four rocket attacks launched from Pakistani territory landed near Attari on 12 September 2009.  This is the second such attack since 4 July.

The border between India and Pakistan in Rajasthan is unmarked in some areas (primarily because of the local geography).  Approaching the border away from an official crossing point could be dangerous, and where it is unmarked it could lead to a visitor straying into the other country illegally.

The Kumbh Festival or Kumbh Mela is being held from 14 January to 28 April 2010. Said to be the world’s largest religious gathering, the festival is likely to cause disruption to transport, accommodation and public services where events are being held particularly in and around Haridwar.  More information can be found at www.kumbh2010haridwar.gov.in

Please note that with effect from 1 January 2010 passengers are required to pay a user development fee (UDF) at Jaipur Airport.  For domestic flights, the fee is RS 150 and for international flights the fee is RS 1000.  The fee should already be included in the cost of airline tickets.  However, if for any reason the fee is not included it will be collected at the airport check-in counter.  You should therefore ensure you carry the appropriate amount in Indian rupees.  If you wish to know in advance whether the fee has been included in the price of your ticket, please contact your travel agent or airline directly.

Trekking: In 2000, there were several attacks, including murder, in the mountain areas of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.  We recommend that trekkers travel in groups and engage local guides.  

If you are trekking in remote mountain areas you should be aware that there are no commercial mountain rescue services which are able to operate at altitudes above 3000 metres. There are also parts of the border areas where only the Indian Air Force is permitted to carry out air rescues.  You should be aware though that they are under no obligation to perform air rescues and have limited resources available to do so.  Lastly, you should ensure that your insurance policy covers you for altitudes over 2400 metres.

East and North East India

We advise against all travel in Manipur and Tripura and all but essential travel to Imphal.  If you intend to travel to Imphal then you should only travel there by air.  There is a risk from insurgent groups, mainly in rural areas of these and other states in the east and north east.  Although foreigners have not been the deliberate targets of violence, attacks can be indiscriminate.  Kidnapping, banditry and insurgency are rife throughout the region.

Violent extremist groups are also active in the rural areas of Bihar, Jharkland, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa, with more frequent attacks taking place since mid-August.

Since mid February 2008, sudden strikes have been called by the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha in Darjeeling and the surrounding hills in North Bengal. This has resulted in severe transport disruption, a shortage of drinking water, the suspension of waste removal and the closure of shops and government services in the region. It is recommended that if you intend to visit the region you should contact your hotel or lodgings beforehand to ensure that there is no localised disruption. The disruption will also affect visitors to Sikkim as roads to the state run through the Hill area.

• On 30 October 2008, 11 bombs exploded in Assam. Areas affected were Guwahati and the Barpeta, Bongaigoan and Kokrajhar districts. 77 people were killed and over 300 were injured. Since then there have been a number of isolated terror attacks in Assam, the most recent on 22 November 2009 at Nalbari.
  
• On 21 October 2008, a bomb exploded in Imphal, Manipur killing 17 people and injuring many others.
• On 1 October 2008, a bomb exploded in Agartala, capital of Tripura seriously injuring four people.

You should be aware of the risk of violent crime in the rural areas of Bihar and Jharkhand.  There have also been occasional skirmishes on the India/Bangladesh border.  If you intend to travel to the north east you should check for updates to travel advice and keep yourself up to date on developments in the region.

Indian Government permits are required for travel to Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.  Applications for travel should be made well in advance.  In India, they should be made at the liaison offices of the state requiring permits or Foreigners Regional Registration Offices.  Permits for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can be issued on arrival in Port Blair but this is not the case for other states.

Western Region

We advise against all travel in the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan other than travel across the international border at Wagah.

The border between India and Pakistan in Gujarat is unmarked in some areas (primarily because of the local geography).  Approaching the border away from an official crossing point could be dangerous, and where it is unmarked it could lead to a visitor straying into the other country illegally.

There continues to be some inter communal tension in Gujarat, which can lead to isolated incidents of violence.

In Mumbai, there is a risk of armed robbers holding up taxis travelling along the main highway from the airport to the city in the early hours of the morning when there is little traffic on the roads.  If you are using the route during these times, you should, where possible, arrange to travel by coach or seek advice at the airport on arrival.

In Mumbai, the international and domestic airport terminals are at a considerable distance from each other and it is not possible to walk from one to the other.  If you are transiting between international and domestic flights, it is recommended that you use the free shuttle services available at both airports. You can avail of this service as long as you are able to show a valid onward connection on your ticket. Please note that you will NOT be able to use the service once you exit the terminal building.  Both terminals also have pre-paid taxi facilities. At the international terminal, these can be accessed from inside and outside the terminal building. At the domestic terminal, prepaid taxi facilities are only accessible from inside the terminal building. There have been reports of scams at both terminals, with unofficial taxi drivers demanding exorbitant sums of money once you are inside the cab. You are therefore advised to use either prepaid taxis, or metered taxis ONLY.

After you have cleared customs and immigration at Mumbai airport you should be wary of approaches by thieves posing as Government officials.

Please note that since 1 April 09 passengers are required to pay a new airport tax at Mumbai domestic and international terminals.  For domestic flights, the fee is RS 100 and for international flights the fee is RS 600.  The tax should already be included in the cost of airline tickets.  However, if for any reason the tax is not included it will be collected at the airport check-in counter.  You should therefore ensure you carry the appropriate amount in Indian rupees.  If you wish to know in advance whether the tax has been included in the price of your ticket, please contact your travel agent or airline directly.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Mumbai will be closed for 4 to 6 hours every Tuesday afternoon until March 2010. In addition, the second runway at the airport has been closed until 31 January 2010 for repair work. This is expected to cause disruption to flight schedules and delays to flights to and from Mumbai. Passengers travelling to or from Mumbai between October 2009 and March 2010 should contact their airlines to confirm flight timings. Passengers flying out of Mumbai are advised to arrive for check-in well in advance to avoid losing their seats to stand-by passengers.

Southern India

A user development Fee (UDF) has been levied at Bangalore Airport for all Embarking / Departing Passengers for both Domestic and International journeys. The applicable UDF is Rs. 1070 per International Departing/ Embarking passenger and Rs.260 per Domestic Departing / Embarking Passenger.  British nationals should check with their airline if this fee is included in their ticket.

Goa

You should take the same precautions as you would in any other coastal resort, be it in Europe or elsewhere in Asia.

Drugs are illegal in India.  Penalties for possession of narcotic substances can be severe. There is a minimum sentence of six months for possession of small amounts “deemed” for personal consumption only. A 10-year sentence for possession of other amounts applies. Furthermore, the slow judicial process means that lengthy pre-trial detention, usually of several years, is normal.

You should be aware that drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK.

There have been reports of drinks being spiked and travellers, including British nationals, subsequently being robbed, sexually assaulted or dying.  In 2008, 40 British nationals died in Goa up to ten of these deaths were attributed to drug or alcohol abuse.

You should avoid beaches after dark where there is a risk of being attacked by packs of stray dogs, being robbed or sexually assaulted.  You should also avoid walking alone in isolated spots in the popular tourist areas, particularly after dark. Female travellers are advised to observe and respect local dress and customs and to take particular care.  There have been incidents of sexual offences against women.  For more guidance about this see our Rape and sexual assault abroad page and our Your trip page.

Buying property in Goa: See the General section of this advice (below).

Road Travel

Take great care when travelling by road in India. Car and bike accidents are on of the biggest causes of injury and death overseas.  Several British nationals die each year on Indian roads. Special care should be taken at night. Always look to travel in a well-maintained vehicle with seatbelts. If you travel by bike be sure to wear a helmet and proper footwear.

For further information see Driving abroad.

Sea Travel

Tourist boats and other small crafts very rarely carry life saving equipment.  The poor infrastructure can make the provision of consular assistance difficult, particularly in remote areas.Piracy/armed robbery against ships has occurred in and around India’s waters.  Mariners are advised to be vigilant.For more general information see our River and Sea Safety page.

Swimming

There are strong currents off many areas of the Indian coast.  The regular drowning of both locals and foreigners have highlighted the lack of warning signs or flags and life-saving equipment on most of India's beaches.

Rail Travel

Do not accept food or drinks from strangers.  There have been reports of travellers being drugged and robbed on trains, more often than not on the overnight trains.  Take particular care of your passport and valuables when boarding and whilst on the train.Avoid individuals at railway stations offering tickets and tours, mainly to Kashmir and Rajasthan.

Air Travel

Between the months of December and April, flights leaving India become very full.  Passengers may find themselves 'bumped off' flights even if they have confirmed seats.  All international departures must therefore be re-confirmed at least 72 hours before departure.