This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Safety and Security: Terrorism (continuing reports of possible terrorist attacks in New Delhi, Mumbai and other cities). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Target Summary

Target Safety and Security

Target Terrorism

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.

We continue to receive reports about possible attacks against markets frequented by foreigners in New Delhi.

Credible reporting suggests that terrorists may be planning attacks in India directed at hotels frequented by foreigners, including perceived Western-owned hotels.

We continue to receive reporting that terrorists plan to attack public places, including hotels and tourist locations, in New Delhi, Mumbai and other cities.

On 29 April 2010 the Indian Government issued an alert warning that terrorist attacks are likely in Kolkata, including at Kolkata airport. Australians in Kolkata are encouraged to exercise caution in public areas and to monitor local media.

Terrorists may also be planning attacks against Indian political and security interests.

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers .

There is a continuing threat from terrorism throughout India. Major secular and religious holidays and periods of religious significance, such as Ramadan (11 August to 9 September), Eid (10-11 September), Diwali (5 November), could provide terrorist groups an opportunity or pretext to stage an attack. You should also be vigilant in the lead up to and on days of national significance, such as Republic Day (26 January) and Independence Day (15 August), and other notable anniversaries as militants have in the past marked such occasions with attacks.

In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible targets include diplomatic premises, commercial and public areas, events and places known to be frequented by foreigners, restaurants, entertainment and recreation venues, prominent government buildings, 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, pilgrimages and festivals and tourist sites. Attacks have included explosions at market places, local courts, a cinema and local transport networks. These risks apply in all of India?s cities and tourist centres.

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.

Recent incidents include:

• 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 April 2009, a series of bomb attacks in Guwahati, the largest city in the north-eastern state of Assam, killed six people and injured over 20.
• 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.
• In May 2008, seven bomb blasts occurred in the walled city area of Jaipur, close to popular tourist sites. More than 60 people were killed and hundreds injured.

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

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).

Violent extremist groups, including Maoist insurgents (known locally as ?Naxalites?) are primarily active in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa, targeting the Indian Government and security forces, infrastructure and local urban areas. On 6 April 2010 Maoist insurgents reportedly killed 76 members of the security forces in an ambush in Chhattisgarh state. Visitors to these areas should monitor the local media and remain vigilant.

Target Civil Unrest/Political Tension

Violent protests and demonstrations occur frequently throughout India. You should avoid protests and demonstrations while in India as they may become violent. Communal violence claimed more than 2,000 lives in India in 2009. Australians could be caught up in attacks directed at others. Australians are urged to monitor international and local media and to follow the instructions of local authorities.

International events, political developments in the region and local events can trigger demonstrations in India.

Since early December 2009, there have been violent protests in the State of Andhra Pradesh in relation to the proposed formation of a separate state of ?Telangana?. It is likely that protests will continue into the near future. 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.

An outbreak of anti-Christian violence in Orissa in August and September 2008 claimed 55 lives. Up to 18,000 people were injured.

Violent protests by sections of the Gujjar people of India began in the Bharatpur region of Rajasthan in May 2008. A number of people died.

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.

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 large numbers of deaths. The cities of Srinagar and Jammu are the worst affected. The arrest, detention or execution of high profile militants could become catalysts for further violence. In May 2009, dozens of people were injured in clashes between protesters and security forces in Srinigar.

Attacks have targeted tourists and tourist buses. Foreigners have been kidnapped in Kashmir.

Other incidents in Jammu and Kashmir include:

• In January 2010, several people were killed following a militant attack on a major market in Srinagar.
• In October 2009, five militants were killed in a gun battle in Srinagar.
• In April 2009, five people were killed and seven injured by a landmine in Poonch district.

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 Guwahati and Karbi Angalong in Assam. 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 the north-eastern Indian state of Assam, including in the largest city, Guwahati, killed more than 70 people and injured hundreds.

Target Crime

Women travellers, especially when alone, often receive unwanted attention and have been sexually harassed and assaulted. There have been a number of sexual offences reported against foreign women, including in Delhi and Goa. Women should avoid walking alone at night in deserted areas, including city streets, village lanes and beaches.

Travellers staying on houseboats in Kashmir have been intimidated and harassed by houseboat employees. 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. 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. Prepaid taxi services are generally considered the safest alternative. 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.

In parts of India, religious missionary activity may attract some resentment. In January 1999, an Australian missionary and his two young sons were murdered in the eastern state of Orissa.

Target Local Travel

Touts are often found at airports, railway stations and bus stations and may use aggressive tactics to persuade travellers to buy tickets on tours. They may not have any connection to the relevant commercial service providers.

Travelling by road in India can be dangerous due to poorly maintained and congested roads. Accidents are commonplace. Roads are often shared with pedestrians, carts, cattle and other livestock and are particularly dangerous at night due to insufficient or non-existent street lighting. Local driving practices are often undisciplined and aggressive with poorly maintained vehicles. If a vehicle hits a pedestrian or cow, the occupants are at risk of being attacked or becoming victims of extortion. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety .

To drive in India, you must have either a valid Indian driver?s licence or an International Driving Permit together with an Australian driving licence. An Australian licence alone is not sufficient.

Motorcycle riders must wear helmets. If you intend to ride a motorcycle, you should check that your travel insurance policy covers motorcycle riding.

Bus services are often overcrowded and drivers may lack adequate training.

Delays in travel can be expected throughout India due to additional security measures, especially in the lead up to and on days of national significance such as Republic Day (26 January) and Independence Day (15 August). In New Delhi, significant traffic delays caused by construction works can be expected in the lead-up to the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Standards maintained by transport services and tour operators, including adventure activities, may not be comparable to those in Australia. Check operators? credentials and safety equipment beforehand and ensure your travel insurance policy covers your planned activities.

You need permission from the Indian authorities to visit certain parts of the country, particularly in the northeast. Permits are generally required for Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, parts of Kulu District and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh, border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, some areas of Uttarakhand (formerly Uttaranchal), parts of Rajasthan adjacent to the international border, the Tibetan settlements between Hunsar and Madikeri in Karnataka, Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. There are severe penalties for entering a protected or restricted area without prior permission. Indian authorities generally require four weeks to process permit applications. You should seek advice from the nearest Indian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate; or the Ministry of Home Affairs, (Foreigners Division) at Jaisalmer House, 26 Man Singh Road, New Delhi.

Travellers should exercise caution while visiting Mamallapuram (also known as Mahabalipuram) in Tamil Nadu, South India, as the restricted area surrounding the Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Centre, Kalpakkam, is nearby and may not be clearly marked.

Fog often affects northern India, particularly during December and January, and may delay air and rail travel, and may make road travel more dangerous.

Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of India. See our travel advice on travelling by sea for more information. The International Maritime Bureau issues weekly piracy reports on its website . Tourist boats and other small commercial craft may not carry life preserving/saving equipment.

Target Airline Safety

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 Aviation Safety and Security travel bulletin .

Target Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

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.

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.

Target Wildlife

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.

Target Money and Valuables

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.

Target For Parents

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 .

Target Local Laws

When you are in India, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter .

Legal processes in India generally take several years to conclude. Australians arrested for major offences may be imprisoned for several years before a verdict is reached in their case.

Penalties in India for some crimes, such as murder, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery with murder, and treason, include the death penalty. Penalties for drug offences are severe and include mandatory sentences and the death penalty.

You are required by law to carry your passport at all times.

Trespassing and photography of airports, military establishments and dams is illegal with penalties ranging from three to 14 years imprisonment.

It is illegal to carry or use a satellite phone in India without permission. The penalty for doing so could include imprisonment.

Maiming or killing of a cow is an offence which can attract a punishment of up to five years imprisonment.

Some states within India have passed religious anti-conversion legislation making conversion to another religion by force or inducement an offence. Penalties include imprisonment. Foreigners planning to do missionary work must have a missionary visa. Those who don?t risk criminal prosecution and deportation.

Strict regulations apply for the possession and export of antiques, with penalties of up to three years imprisonment. The government of India requires the registration of antiques. For further information contact the High Commission of India in Canberra or the Indian Central Board of Excise and Customs at www.cbec.gov.in .

There are strict rules governing the purchase of property by foreigners in the state of Goa. The Reserve Bank of India website has some information, however Australians should seek reliable legal advice and familiarise themselves with applicable laws before entering into agreements to purchase property.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Target Local Customs

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.

Target Information for Dual Nationals

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 Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Target Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Australians must obtain a visa before travelling to India. If you arrive in India without a visa, the Indian Government will likely refuse you entry. Holders of tourist visas departing India may not re-enter India for two months, regardless of their length of stay or validity of their visa, although some flexibility may be possible. Visit the Indian Government Ministry of Home Affairs website or contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of India for the most up-to-date information.

If planning to stay in India for more than 180 days, you are required to register within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata) or with the Superintendent of Police in other areas. Failure to register may result in a jail sentence or fine, or preclude departure from India until permission is granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

There are heavy penalties, including jail sentences, for overstaying your visa.

There is no provision for changing visa categories (i.e. tourist to work) once admitted into India.

If you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is endemic, you will be required to present a valid yellow fever certificate to be allowed entry into India.

If your passport is lost or stolen while in India, an exit visa is required to depart from India. Exit visas can be obtained by presenting a police report, two current passport size photographs and a letter from the High Commission or Consulate General advising of your lost or stolen passport to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office. As the Indian authorities generally need to verify entry details prior to issuing an exit visa, the process can take several days.

Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.

Target Health Issues

Target Health Issues

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website . For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

Good medical facilities can be found in India's major cities; however in remote and rural areas facilities can be very limited or unavailable. Most hospitals require up-front payment or confirmation of insurance cover prior to commencing treatment. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities may be necessary. Medical evacuation costs could total in excess of $A300,000 depending on circumstances.

Malaria is a risk in most parts of India including major cities. There is also a risk of other mosquito-borne diseases (including dengue fever, chikungunya fever, Japanese encephalitis and filariasis). We recommend you consult your doctor so you can take prophylaxis against malaria. You should also take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times.

The mosquito-borne disease Japanese encephalitis is found throughout many regions of North, South and South-East Asia and Papua New Guinea. A Japanese encephalitis vaccine is registered for use and is currently available in Australia. For further details, please consult your travel health doctor.

There is a high incidence of food-borne, water-borne and other infectious diseases in India (including polio, meningitis, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, diphtheria and rabies). We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We recommend you boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

For divers who experience compression problems, decompression chambers are located at the Indian naval base in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and at the Goa Medical College, Goa.

"Medical tourism", including for cosmetic and experimental stem cell treatments, has become more common. Australians should ensure that they do not attend discount or uncertified medical establishments where standards can be lacking and result in serious and possibly life-threatening complications. You should find out whether you can seek compensation if you are not happy with the result and ensure you have appropriate insurance cover.

Avoid temporary 'black henna' tattoos as they may contain a dye which can cause serious skin reactions. For further information see the Australasian College of Dermatologists' website .

Avian influenza : The Department of Health and Ageing advises Australians who reside in India for an extended period to consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine for treatment. Long term residents are at a greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time. You should seek medical advice before taking antiviral medicines. Australians intending to travel to India for shorter periods are at much lower risk of infection but should discuss the risk of avian influenza with their doctor as part of their routine pre-travel health checks. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions, see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

If the avian influenza virus mutates to a form where efficient human-to-human transmission occurs, it may spread quickly and local authorities could move quickly to impose restrictions on travel. Australian travellers and long-term residents in India should be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being, including deciding when to leave an affected area and ensuring they have appropriate contingency plans in place. Australians in India should monitor the travel advice and bulletin for updated information and advice, and ensure that their travel documents, including passports and visas for any non-Australian family members, are up-to-date in case they need to depart at short notice.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world, including India. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website .

Target Where to Get Help

In India, you can obtain consular assistance from:

Australian High Commission, New Delhi
No. 1/50 G Shantipath (Gate 1)
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi INDIA 110021
Telephone: (91 11) 4139 9900
Facsimile: (91 11) 2687 2228
Website: www.india.highcommission.gov.au

Australian Consulate-General, Mumbai
36 Maker Chambers VI
220 Nariman Point
Mumbai (Bombay) 400021
Maharashtra
Telephone: (91 22) 6669 2000
Facsimile: (91 22) 6669 2005

Australian Consulate-General, Chennai
512, Alpha Wing, Raheja Towers
177, Anna Salai
Chennai 600 002
Tamil Nadu
Telephone: (91 44) 4391 3200
Facsimile: (91 44) 2860 4988

If you are travelling to India, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate . The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the High Commission you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.