NEW DELHI: The U.S. State Department has issued a Level-2 travel advisory for India, urging travelers to “exercise increased caution” due to rising incidents of violent crime and terrorism, particularly sexual violence, which it described as one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country.
In the updated advisory, the U.S. government specifically highlighted the growing threat of rape and sexual assault, warning that such crimes occur even at tourist sites and other public locations. The advisory urged female travelers to avoid traveling alone, citing a heightened risk in rural and certain conflict-prone regions.
“Rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India,” the advisory stated. “Violent crimes, including sexual assault, occur at tourist sites and other locations.”
The advisory also mentioned that U.S. government personnel face travel restrictions across several Indian states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Odisha, and parts of the Northeast, such as Manipur. These regions require special authorization for official travel due to elevated security risks.
Parts of eastern Maharashtra, northern Telangana, and central Chhattisgarh have also been flagged, where the U.S. government admits having limited capacity to provide emergency assistance to citizens.
India’s Record on Gender-Based Violence Under Scrutiny
The travel advisory paints a grim picture of India’s worsening record on gender-based violence. According to recent statistics, the country reported over 31,500 rape cases in 2022—an average of 86 rapes per day.
International studies have repeatedly ranked India among the most dangerous countries for women, even placing it above conflict-ridden nations like Syria and Afghanistan.
Critics argue that the Indian leadership has done little to reverse the trend. While defense officials, including Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, have invoked nationalistic narratives like “Operation Sindoor”, human rights defenders argue this politicizes women’s suffering rather than addressing the root causes of gender-based violence.
“The Modi government is weaponizing women’s pain for political mileage, while failing to provide real protection,” said Dr. Anjali Rao, a noted human rights advocate.
As India continues to present itself as a rising global power, observers stress that meaningful reform, not rhetoric, is necessary to uphold women’s safety and dignity.
