US advises citizens on travel, India says country is safe

New Delhi, Jun 4 (PTI) The US has claimed that India is
faced with a "high threat" from terrorism and asked its
citizens to be vigilant, prompting New Delhi to assert that
the country is a safe place and such an advisory was
unwarranted.

India's Home Minister P Chidambaram said India is "safer
than any other country in the world" and New Delhi will try to
persuade Washington to withdraw such an advisory.

He was reacting to an 'Urgent Warden Message' posted on
American Embassy website which cautioned American citizens in
India.

"The United States Mission in India wishes to urgently
remind all US citizens resident in or travelling to India that
there is a high threat from terrorism throughout India," the
message said.

"As terror attacks are a serious and growing threat, US
citizens are urged to always practice good security, including
maintaining a heightened situational awareness and a low
profile," it said.

The message said, "Americans in India should be vigilant
at all times and monitor local news reports and vary their
routes and times in carrying out daily activities."

The advisory asked Americans to consider the level of
security present when visiting public places, including
religious sites, or choosing hotels, restaurants,
entertainment and recreation venues.

Commenting on the advisory, Chidambaram said the
Ministry for External Affairs (MEA) will be asked to speak to
the US to persuade them to withdraw the advisory.

"India is a completely safe country... India is a safe
place, it is safer than any other country in the world.
Thousands of tourists come to India and we look forward to
welcoming them," he told reporters.

Asked whether the US was trying to hyphenate India and
Pakistan, Chidambaram said, "Why should we jump to
conclusions. We will try to find out why this advisory was
issued, if at all it was issued." PTI NAB
RAI