India safe, assures Chidambaram after US issues travel advisory

NEW DELHI: The US has said in a travel advisory that there is a “high threat from terrorism throughout India” and has urged its citizens to be 
vigilant and maintain “a low profile” even as India asserted the country is safe.

The latest “urgent warden message” or travel advisory urged Americans in India to be vigilant at all times and monitor local news reports. It further asked its citizens to vary their routes and times in carrying out daily activities.

“he United States mission in India wishes to urgently remind all US citizens resident in or traveling to India that there is a high threat from terrorism throughout India” the message said. “As terror attacks are a serious and growing threat, US citizens are urged to always practice good security, including maintaining a heightened situational awareness and a low profile,” it said. American citizens have also been asked to consider the level of security present when visiting public places like religious sites, or choosing hotels, restaurants, entertainment and recreation venues.

The advisory was released by the US embassy which called it a routine matter. But the timing of this particular advisory raised eyebrows. Foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon met US Charge D’ Affaires Peter Burleigh on Thursday after home minister P Chidambaram asserted that India would take up the matter with the US through the ministry of external affairs.

The US embassy in New Delhi sought to downplay the advisory calling it “routine” . “We are required by American law to inform the traveling public on their security,” said the US embassy spokesman, adding it was also based on media reports of heightened security alerts.

But Mr Chidambaram in his reaction to the travel advisory assured that India is “safer than many other countries in the world” . He further said that New Delhi would try to persuade Washington to withdraw the advisory. “India is a completely safe country… India is a safe place, it is safer than many other countries in the world. Thousands of tourists come to India and we look forward to welcoming them” he told reporters.

On what could be the reason behind the advisory, Mr Chidambaram said, “Why should we jump to conclusions . We will try to find out why this advisory was issued.”