India objects to travel advisory by five countries

Mangalore Today / NDTV

New Delhi, Oct 26:  India has objected to countries issuing travel advisories for their people wanting to come to the country.

 

Minister of External Affairs S M Krishna, who is in Perth to attend the Foreign Ministers’ summit of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), held talks with his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd and raised the issue in detail, official sources said.


Mr Krishna asked Mr Rudd to withdraw issuance of travel advisory for tourists travelling to India.

"The language in these advisory is rather disproportionate and contrary to the current trend of tourism to India," he told Mr Rudd.

Responding to Mr Krishna, the Australian Foreign Minister said such advisories were "routine" advice and "we do not have any information of any specific threat to share with India."

According to official sources, Mr Krishna is also expected to raise the issue with his other counterparts including Canada and New Zealand.

In the wake of many countries, including US and Australia, issuing travel advisories to their citizens, New Delhi has taken a serious note of the issue, maintaining such notices do not reflect the reality and have adverse effect on the tourism to the country.

The government has said the language of the advisories is contrary to current trends of tourism.

Five countries - including the US, UK, New Zealand, Canada and Australia - have asked their citizens to be cautious while travelling to India and pointed to threats of terrorist attacks during the festive season.

The advisory comes at a time when India is set to host its first F1 Grand Prix.