India - Public Announcement
July 20, 2002

This Public Announcement is being issued to note that although the risk of renewed increased tensions between India and Pakistan cannot be ruled out, tensions have subsided. This Announcement further notes that authorized departure for U.S. Government personnel in non-emergency positions and all family members has been lifted, and those who departed in early June may return to India. This Public Announcement supersedes the Travel Warning for India issued June 26, 2002, and it expires on November 20, 2002.

The Department notes that the high level of tension between India and Pakistan that existed at the end of May and the beginning of June has further subsided. This condition reflects continuing diplomatic activity and a return to normalcy in most aspects of public and economic life in India. However, military mobilization by the two countries remains in place along the Line of Control and the international boundary, and the risk of renewed tension cannot be totally ruled out.

U.S. Government personnel are now allowed to travel freely to India on official business. Those U.S. Government personnel in non-emergency positions and all family members who departed earlier are now returning to India. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates are expected to operate at normal staffing levels in the near future.

As always, American citizens who travel to or reside in India should monitor the media for existing conditions, and should feel free to obtain updated information from the U.S. Embassy or the nearest Consulate.

The Department recommends that Americans avoid travel to all border areas between India and Pakistan, including those regions within the border states of Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan, and in all of the state of Jammu & Kashmir. The Indian Government has closed most land and air links with Pakistan. Military movements continue along both the Line of Control in Kashmir and the border between India and Pakistan. Terrorist groups, some of which are linked to al-Qaeda and have previously been implicated in attacks on Americans, are active there as well, and have attacked and killed civilians.

U.S. citizens are urged to register and obtain updated security information at the Embassy or the nearest Consulate. The location and phone numbers of the U.S. Embassy and the Consulates General in India are as follows:

* NEW DELHI: The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021; Tel 91-11-419-8000; fax 91-11-419-0017 (See also web site address http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/in1/wwwhmain.html).

*

* MUMBAI: The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai is located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Rd., Mumbai 400026; Tel 91-22-363-3611; fax 91-22-363-0350 (See also web site address http://usembassy.state.gov/mumbai).

*

* CHENNAI: The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai is located at 220 Anna Salai, Chennai 600006; Tel 91-44-811-2000; fax 91-44-811-2027 (See also web site address http://usembassy.state.gov/chennai).

*

* CALCUTTA (also known as Kolkata): The U.S. Consulate General in Calcutta is located at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Calcutta 700071; Tel 91-33-282-3611; fax 91-33-282-2335 (See also web site at http://usembassy.state.gov/calcutta).

Americans traveling and residing abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where further general information regarding travel to India may be found. Please see also the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement.