It's India, the largest democracy in the world, with a population of over 1.4 billion. The country has seen an upward trend in its tourism since 2023, when it saw 9.24 million foreign tourist arrivals—a whopping 43.5% increase from 2022. The number continued to soar in 2024 with the entry of 9.66 million international tourists. But India fears that its ramped-up Level 2 U.S. travel advisory may affect these numbers this year. Read on to learn about the current travel conditions in India, how to stay safe when visiting, and its biggest and "most confident" democracy.
U.S. Ramps Up Travel Advisory For India
On June 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of State updated its travel advisory for India, urging U.S. citizens to "Exercise Increased Caution" when visiting the South Asian country due to crime and terrorism. The warning highlighted that rape is one of the fastest-growing crimes in India. American travelers are reminded that sexual assault, violent crimes, and terrorist attacks typically occur in public places like tourist sites, transportation hubs, markets, shopping centers, and government facilities.
The State Department also raised "Do Not Travel" alerts for the following regionsdue to ongoing conflict:
- Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir - terrorism and civil unrest
- India-Pakistan Border - potential for armed conflict
- Parts of CentralandEast India - terrorism
- Manipur - threat of violence and crime
- Northeastern States - terrorism and violence
Jasiwal said the warnings from the State Department don't accurately reflect the current situation in India. He also noted that the country has been at Level 2 U.S. travel advisory for "several years." Congress leader, Supriya Shrinate, questioned the "silence" of the Indian government as she claimed that the advisory "will not only harm India's image but also impact everybody’s life in the country," as Asia News reported. But online, many Indian citizens argue that these alerts shed light on real concerns.
India Travel Safety Tips
Aside from warnings about crime and terrorism, the State Department was also firm in advising Americans not to travel alone, especially if you're a woman. Foreign women generally draw a lot of attention from local men in India. They're usually harmless, according to experienced travelers and tourist guides. But they warn that some men may want to take photos with women walking around on their own, or that they may easily misinterpret the friendliness of foreign females for flirting. Booking a travel guide can help minimize such interactions.
Now, whether you're a man or a woman, being a foreigner makes you a hot target for pickpockets, especially if you're walking by yourself. Avoid fidgeting with your pockets, purses, or bags where your valuables are, as they draw attention. It helps to have a decoy wallet or to wear a bag that's attached to your body or whose zippers are visible to you. Lastly, refrain from using your phone in crowded areas where such minor distractions become swift opportunities for petty theft.
The State Department notes that bringing a satellite phone or GPS device to India is illegal and punishable with a penalty of $200,000 or jail time of up to three years.
The State Department's International Traveler's Checklist can help you plan your personal safety and security more accurately. Don't forget to monitor local news as well. Enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) can help with that because it sends you real-time weather, health, and safety reports. It's also a quick and easy way for the State Department to contact you in case of an emergency abroad.