March 16, 2017 TnH Global

US has no advisory on travel to India says Sushma Swaraj

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday attended Parliament for the first time since she underwent a kidney transplant three months ago. Members cutting across party lines greeted her with applause.

She soon made a statement that assured support and protection for Indians in the US, following wide-spread concern over incidents of racial attack on Indians in different parts of America. She ruled out any plan to a have travel advisory for Indians travelling to the US, as demanded by some Opposition members in the LS last week, and clarified that Washington has not enforced any travel advisory for Americans visiting India.

“I would like to reassure this House…that safety and security of Indian diaspora abroad remains a top priority for this government. We are in a continuous dialogue with the US government. Close contacts with the local Indian community groups are being maintained through our embassy and consulates to address any emerging issues. We will remain vigilant to developments impacting the lives of Indians abroad and do everything possible to safeguard their interests and welfare,” Swaraj said.

Detailing the recent attacks, Swaraj said, “I would say prompt and clear response of the US political leadership and the law enforcement authorities to these incidents and the widespread messages of support from all quarters in the US give us confidence that these incidents are acts of individuals and do not represent the overwhelming sentiments of the American people towards India. This was demonstrated by American national Ian Grillot who suffered serious injuries while helping the two Indians. I have saluted his heroism and am sure the House joins me in wishing him speedy recovery.”

On demand for a travel advisory to Americans visiting India, Swaraj said: “There is no travel advisory in force for India at present. A reference to India has been included in their ‘World Caution’ report which the US State Department releases every six month. These are in the form of broad assessment of threat perceptions. Such references to India have been included in previous reports as well and do not reflect the change of administration in the US.”

“In fact, India-specific references were far more detailed in previous reports. Having said that, issuing travel advisories is a well-established global practice and India has also issued such travel advisories in the past for its citizens visiting the US in specific situations,” she added.

News Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com