Wayzata World Factbook 1994/World Factbook - 1994 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1994).iso/pc/text/txtfiles/india.tvl

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#CARD:India:Travel\Consular Information
India - Consular Information Sheet
August 27, 1993

Country Description:  India is a developing democratic republic.  Tourist
facilities are widely available in the major population centers and main
tourist areas.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and visa (which must be obtained in advance)
are required for entry into India for tourism or business.  Evidence of
yellow fever immunization is needed if the traveler is arriving from an
infected area.  For further entry information, the traveler can contact the
Embassy of India at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008,
telephone [phone] or 939-9850 or the Indian consulates in Chicago,
New York and San Francisco.

Terrorism:  In March 1993, a series of bombings in several major cities
resulted in over 300 deaths and 1000 people injured.  The principal targets
were public buildings, hotels and transportation centers.  Foreigners have
not been specifically targeted, and none were reported injured.  As a
precaution against further terrorist acts, the government of India has
enhanced security measures considerably in New Delhi and other major Indian
cities.  While the threat of further acts of terrorism remains, there is no
specific information to suggest that such attacks would be directed at U.S.
citizens or U.S. interests.

Areas of Instability:

Countrywide - Serious communal violence and riots erupted in India following
the destruction of a respected mosque in December, 1992.  The potential
exists for recurrences of violence in most major cities.  Major civil
disturbances can pose risks to a traveler's personal safety and can disrupt
transportation systems and city services.  In response to communal violence,
Indian authorities may occasionally impose curfews.  In addition, political
rallies and demonstrations in India have the potential for violence.
Foreigners have not been the targets of either communal or political
violence in India, and are principally at risk only of becoming inadvertent
victims.  U.S. citizens may contact the American Embassy or the nearest
American Consulate General for further information about the current
situation in areas where they wish to travel.

Kashmir - Terrorist activities and violent civil disturbances continue in
the Kashmir valley of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.  There have been
incidents in which terrorists have threatened and kidnapped foreigners.

Assam - Terrorist groups in Assam have bombed trains, buses and bridges.
The government of India has declared Assam to be a "disturbed area."

Punjab and Uttar Pradesh - Significant separatist violence continues in the
Punjab and nearby regions outside Punjab state.  Gangs have kidnapped and
held for ransom foreign company executives.  All areas of Punjab state have
been affected to some extent over the past year.  Violent incidents also
occurred in 1992 at various places in Uttar Pradesh state in the
northwestern foothills and north-central Terai region.  Militants and robber
gangs operated in the area in and around Jim Corbett National Park and
Dudhwa National Park, as well as on roads leading to Hardwar, Rishikesh,
Dehra Dun and Mussoorie.

India-Pakistan border - Tensions run high between India and Pakistan,
particularly over Kashmir.  The only official India-Pakistan border crossing
point for foreigners is at Attari, Punjab/Wagah, Pakistan.  A Pakistani visa
is required.

Restricted Areas:  Permission from the Indian government (from Indian
diplomatic missions abroad, or in some cases from the Ministry of Home
Affairs) is required to visit the states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland,
Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, parts of Kulu district
and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, border areas of Jammu and Kashmir,
areas of Uttar Pradesh, the area west of National Highway No. 15 running
from Ganganagar to Sanchar in Rajasthan, the Andaman and Nicobar islands and
the Union Territory of the Laccadive islands.

Medical Facilities:  Adequate medical care is available in the major
population centers, but is usually limited in the rural areas of the
country.  Medical authorities suggest that travelers to India take
preventive measures against malaria, hepatitis, meningitis and Japanese
encephilitis (if arriving during the monsoon season).  Travelers arriving
from countries where outbreaks of yellow fever have occurred will be
required to furnish a certificate for yellow fever vaccination.  An office
of the U.S. Public Health Service can recommend any additional vaccinations.
 Cholera and gastroenteritis occur during the summer monsoon months, mostly
in the poorer areas of India.  The best protection includes eating only at
better quality restaurants or hotels, drinking only boiled or bottled
mineral water and avoiding ice.  Eating untreated fruits and vegetables and
cooked foods sold by street vendors can be risky.

U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.
Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate payment in cash for health
services.  Supplemental health insurance which specifically covers overseas
treatment has proved to be useful.  Additional information on health matters
can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international
travelers hotline at [404] 332-4559.

Information on Crime:  Petty crime, especially theft of personal property,
is common.  The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported
immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security,
and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of
State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to South
Asia."  They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of
the country in which they travel.  Penalties for possession, use or
trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced.  Convicted offenders in
India can expect a minimum jail sentence of ten years and fines.

Customs Considerations:  Indian customs authorities strictly enforce the
laws and regulations governing the declaration, importation or possession of
gold and gold objects.  Travelers have sometimes been detained for
possession of undeclared gold objects.

Mountain Climbing:  Both India and Pakistan claim an area of the Karakoram
mountain range which includes the Siachen Glacier.  The two countries have
established military outposts in the region, and armed clashes have
occurred.  Because of this situation, U.S. citizens traveling to or climbing
peaks anywhere in the disputed areas face significant risk of injury and
death.  The disputed area includes the following peaks: Rimo Peak, Apsarasas
I, II and III, Tegam Kangri I, II, and III, Suingri Kangri, Ghaint I and II,
Indira Col and Sia Kangri.

Piloting Civil Aircraft:  In past years there have been a number of
incidents in which civil aircraft have been detained for deviating from
approved flight plans.  U.S. citizens piloting civil aircraft in India must
file any changes to previous flight plans and may not overfly restricted
airspace.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi
or at one of the U.S. Consulates in India can obtain updated information on
travel and security in India and Bhutan.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located in the capital city of New
Delhi on Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri 110021; telephone [phone].  There
are U.S. Consulates General in Bombay at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai
Road, Bombay 400026, telephone [phone]; in Calcutta at 5/1 Ho Chi
Minh Sarani, Calcutta 700071, telephone [phone] through 22-3615 and
22-2335 through 22-2337; and in Madras on Mount Road, Madras 600006,
telephone [phone]-542. The workweek is Monday through Friday.

No. 93-232

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated March 30, 1993 to include
information on reporting the loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport.

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