Wayzata World Factbook 1996/The World Factbook - 1996 Edition - Wayzata Technology (3079) (1996).iso/pc/text/tvltxt/india.tvl

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India - Consular Information Sheet
October 13, 1994

Country Description:  India is a developing democratic republic.  Tourist
facilities varying in degree of comfort and amenities 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, San Francisco, Honolulu, and New Orleans.

Terrorism:  There have been no major terrorist events in India since March
of 1993 when bombings at public buildings, hotels and transportation centers
in Bombay caused several hundred deaths and many injuries.  Foreigners were
not targeted in those attacks, and none were reported injured.  While the
threat of acts of terrorism remains, there have been no comparable bombings
in more than one year.

Areas of Instability:

Countrywide - The potential exists for outbreaks of communal and inter-caste
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 - In July 1994 an American tourist was fatally shot in Srinagar, and
in June 1994 militants held two British hikers hostage for eighteen days
before releasing them.  These recent events demonstrate that the Kashmir
Valley in the State of Jammu and Kashmir remains a dangerous place where
terrorist activities and violent civil disturbances continue.

Uttar Pradesh - In September and October 1994 there were numerous incidents
of violent encounters between police and activists for a separate state for
the hill districts of Uttar Pradesh.  Dozens were killed and many more
injured in the incidents of mob action which resulted in imposition of
curfew and disruption of public transportation in many towns including
Dehradun, Rishikesh, Nainital and other popular tourist destinations.

Northeast States - Civil unrest pervades the Northeast States.  Terrorist
groups in Assam have bombed trains, buses and bridges.  The government of
India has declared Assam to be a "disturbed area."  Numerous political
killings have occurred in Nagaland and Manipur.

India/Pakistan Border - Tensions run high between India and Pakistan,
particularly over Kashmir.  The only official India-Pakistan border-crossing
point is between Atari, India and Wagah, Pakistan.  A Pakistani visa is
required for entry to Pakistan.

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 of yellow fever vaccination.  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 and medical evacuation has proven useful.  The interiors of
international flights arriving in India may be sprayed with insecticides
while passengers are still aboard, a practice discontinued in the U.S.
because of human health concerns.  Additional information on health matters
can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international
travelers hotline at [phone].

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 area 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 and can obtain a copy of a booklet,
"Guidelines for American Travelers in India."

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located in the capital city of New
Delhi on Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri 110021; telephone (91) (11) 600651.
There are U.S. Consulates General in Bombay at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai
Desai Road, Bombay 400026, telephone (91) (22) 363-3611; in Calcutta at 5/1
Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Calcutta 700071, telephone (91) (033) 22-3611 through 22-
3615 and 22-2335 through 22-2337; and in Madras on Mount Road, Madras
600006, telephone (91) (44) 473-040/477-542. The workweek is Monday through
Friday.

No. 94-235

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 16, 1994, to
revise the section on Areas of Instability.