Australia Warns Travellers Against Travelling In India, Shows Concern Over Security Of Women

The Australian government warned India against terror attacks being planned. Australia asked its travellers to "exercise a high degree of caution" during any sort of domestic travel.

The advice comes from the Smart Traveller, the official website for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. "We continue to advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in India overall because of the high threat of terrorist activity, civil unrest and crime and the high rate of vehicle accidents," the website advises. It earlier gave information in mid-December 2014 that militants might be planning attacks against upmarket hotels in Mumbai. The information, nevertheless, is still under investigation. The website further clarifies that India is not going issue medical visas anymore to Australians planning to commission surrogacy. This is applicable for those who reside in Australian states/territories where overseas commercial surrogacy is illegal.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade gives specific warnings for certain parts of India. While travelling to the north-eastern states like Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, Chhattisgarh and Tripura as well as the border areas of neighbouring states; travellers are asked to reconsider their need to travel. Similar advice is directed for those who wish to travel to the cities of Jammu and Srinagar. Australian travellers, on the other hand, are advised not to travel to State of Jammu and Kashmir (except Ladakh region, Jammu and Srinagar) and India-Pakistan border except Atari crossing.

Australia's observations include that safety of women is a concern in India. It advises women to take particular care in all parts of India and exercise caution, even if they are travelling in a group. Travellers are also advised against violent demonstrations and protests which sporadically occur throughout India. Driving in India is unpredictable and the number of road traffic deaths is high, it says.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott earlier condemned the terror attack in France that killed 12 employees of Charlie Hedbo on Wednesday. He called it an "unspeakable atrocity." Abbott said that the thoughts of all Australians were with the families of those who had lost their lives in this barbaric act. Daily Mail reports that heavily armed men stormed the French headquarters of Charlie Hedbo while shouting "Allahu Akbar."

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@IBTimes.com.au