US travel advisory puts India at level 2

WASHINGTON: The US on Wednesday issued a new travel advisory for countries including India, which its officials said is “user friendly” as it is based on ready-to-understand level of advice ranging from one to four.

India has been ranked Level 2 (exercise increased caution), while Pakistan has been placed in Level 3 (reconsider travel). Level 1 advises travellers to exercise normal precaution, while Level 4, which has countries like Afghanistan, recommends “Do Not Travel”.

Now every country has a travel advisory based on this system, which has replaced all the previous such advisories.

“These improvements will provide US citizens with clear, timely, and reliable safety and security information worldwide,” the State Department said.

Placing India on Level 2, the State Department identified “crime and terrorism” for Americans to exercise increased caution. However, it asks Americans not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir, except for eastern Ladakh and Leh and not to venture within 10 miles of the India-Pak border.