Foreign travel advice

India

Warning FCDO advises against all travel to parts of India.

Regional risks

This section has safety advice for regions of India. It only covers regions where the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice for India.

India-Pakistan border area and western India

FCDO advises against all travel within 10km of the India-Pakistan border, except for at Wagah where travellers can cross the border.

The India-Pakistan border in Gujarat and Rajasthan is unmarked in some areas. Approaching it away from an official crossing point could be dangerous. Where it is unmarked, you could enter Pakistan illegally. 

Jammu and Kashmir 

FCDO advises against all travel to the region of Jammu and Kashmir (including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, the city of Srinagar and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway), except for:

  • travel by air to and from the city of Jammu
  • travel within the city of Jammu
  • travel within the region of Ladakh

There have been frequent terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. There is a continuing threat, mainly towards Indian government targets. See Terrorism.

There is a heavy security presence in the Kashmir Valley. This, combined with violent protests and operations by security forces, has resulted in a number of deaths and serious casualties.

The authorities can impose and lift curfews and other restrictions frequently and quickly. Stay vigilant, monitor local media, and follow the advice of local authorities and your travel company.

Foreign nationals are vulnerable in rural districts and outside the main population centres and tourist areas. There is a risk of unpredictable violence, including bombings, grenade attacks, shootings and kidnapping. The long-standing policy of the UK government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The level of consular assistance that the British High Commission in India can provide in Jammu and Kashmir is severely limited.

Manipur

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state of Manipur. Some insurgent groups are active in north-east India in the state of Manipur.

In 2023 violent ethnic clashes broke out across Manipur, including in the state capital, Imphal. Intermittent incidents have continued and escalated in September 2024. There may be curfews and other restrictions including transport disruptions and the suspension of internet services at short notice in some parts of the state.

You should:

  • avoid protests or large gatherings
  • follow the advice of the local authorities and your travel company
  • monitor local media and follow any curfew restrictions

Other north-eastern states

Sudden flareups and skirmishes may happen along inter-state borders in north-east India and there could be incidents of violence in some of the north-eastern states. Please check with local authorities before traveling in the region.

There have been:

  • violent clashes along the disputed border between Assam and Mizoram and Assam-Meghalaya that led to deaths
  • reports of violent communal and political clashes in Tripura
  • security forces killing a number of civilians in Nagaland near the Myanmar border

There have been skirmishes on the India-Bangladesh border. Travellers are advised to check with local authorities that it is safe to travel before visiting these areas.

Protests and large gatherings are common in India’s north-eastern states. They can happen without warning and occasionally result in disorder. Avoid protests and leave as soon as possible if a crowd develops. Review your security arrangements carefully and follow the advice of local authorities.

Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra

Naxalite (radical Maoist communist) insurgents target police officers, paramilitary forces and government officials leading to injuries and deaths (150 in 2023 and around 100 until May 2024). Seek advice from your travel provider and local authorities if you plan to travel to rural areas of the following 12 districts, which the Indian government has identified as the worst affected.

In Chhattisgarh:

  • Bastar
  • Bijapur
  • Dantewada
  • Kanker
  • Narayanpur
  • Mohalla-Manpur-Ambaragh Chowki
  • Sukma

In Jharkhand:

  • West Singhbhum – there is risk of violent crime in rural areas

In Odisha:

  • Kandhamal
  • Kalahandi

In Madhya Pradesh:

  • Gadchiroli

In Maharashtra:

  • Balaghat

Foreign tourists and researchers must keep to security guidelines during visits to tribal areas in Odisha.

Goa

Many opportunistic criminals operate in Goa because of the high number of tourists.

There have been some serious incidents involving British nationals in recent years, including sexual assaults and the murder of a young female traveller.

It is illegal to drink alcohol in public places in Goa. If you drink alcohol outside the limits of a licensed premises, you could be fined or given a prison sentence. You can drink within the limits of a registered beach shack or bar, for example, but not on an open beach or road.