From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- India
Date: 12 Jan 1993 18:38:53 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - India
============================================================
India - Consular Information Sheet
 January 8, 1993

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located in the capital city 
of New Delhi on Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri 110021; telephone (91-11) 
600-651.  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.

Country Description:  India is a developing democratic republic.  
Tourist facilities are widely available in the major population 
centers and main  tourist areas.

Entry Requirements:  For entry into India for touring or business, 
a passport and visa (which must be obtained in advance) are 
required.  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 (202) 
939-9839 or 939-9850.  There are Indian consulates general in 
Chicago, New York and San Francisco.  

Areas of Instability: - Countrywide.  The destruction of a mosque 
by Hindu extremists on December 6, 1992 resulted in communal riots 
and violence throughout India, especially in the northern Indian 
state of Uttar Pradesh.  Indian authorities may from time to time 
impose curfews in response to civil disturbances.  Political rallies 
and demonstrations in India have the potential for violence.  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.  Terrorist activities and violent civil disturbances 
continue in the Kashmir valley of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.  
There have been incidents in which terrorists have threatened and 
kidnapped foreigners. 

- Assam.  Terrorist groups in Assam have bombed trains, buses and 
bridges.  The government of India has declared Assam to be a 
"disturbed area."

- Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.  Significant separatist violence 
continues in the Punjab and nearby regions outside Punjab State.  
Gangs have kidnapped and held for ransom foreign company executives. 
 All areas of Punjab State have been affected to some extent over 
the past year.  Violent incidents also occurred in 1992 at various 
places in Uttar Pradesh State in the northwestern foothills and 
north-central Terai region.  Militants and robber gangs operated in 
the area in and around Jim Corbett National Park and Dudhwa National 
Park, as well as on roads leading to Hardwar, Rishikesh, Dehra Dun 
and Mussoorie.

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

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 for 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 has proved to be useful.  
Additional information on health matters can be obtained from the 
Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline at 
(404) 332-4559.

Information on Crime:  Petty crime, especially theft of personal 
property, is common.  The Department of State pamphlet "A Safe Trip 
Abroad" contains information on safeguarding valuables and 
protection of personal security.  It is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  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 
areas 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.

Tips For Travelers:  General information on travel in the area is 
provided in the Department of State brochure, "Tips for Travelers to 
South Asia."  It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, 
U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. 

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.

 No. 93-005

Newsgroups: rec.travel