India dangerous again, US warns
This weekend, the US State Department issued a new travel advisory for India, noting security concerns.
The warning notes the 2008 attacks in Mumbai as evidence of ongoing terrorism, where gunmen killed 31 hotel guests before Indian authorities killed them — it’s one of those things no one wants to get caught up in.
“U.S. citizens are urged always to practice good security, maintain a heightened situational awareness and a low profile,” the State Department said in its boilerplate warning.
India’s Union Home Minister P Chidambaram told One India News today that the warning wasn’t really a big deal.
“These are routine advisories issued by the US from time to time,” he said. “I don’t think it was based on any new information nor do I think that it was intended to send any alarm signal. I think it was a routine advisory and it should be seen as such.”
For those not following the ongoing HipsterTravelGuide.com Map of Hate, India is involved in an eternal conflict against Pakistan — as they both squabble over the region of Kashmir — the home of the little tiny goats with some of the softest fur in the world. (It’s where the word Cashmere comes from and during ancient times (pre-1960) the region would compete against China’s silk en route to Europe.)
Now if you’re going to India, here are the numbers you may want to print out and keep out in your bag.
– The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11- 2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407. For after-hours emergencies, call 91-11-2419-8000.
– The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, 400026, telephone +91-22-2363-3611; fax +91-22-2363- 0350. For after-hours emergencies, call 91-22-2363-3611, ext. 0.
– The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006, telephone +91-44-2857-4000; fax +91-44-2811-2027. For after-hours emergencies, call 91-44-2857-4000, 91-44-2811-2000, or 91-44-2811-2021.
– The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91- 33-3984-2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335. For after-hour emergencies, call 91-99030-42956 (cell) or 91-33-3984-2400, ext. 0.
– The U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad is at Paigah Palace, 1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad 500 003; telephone: +91 (40) 4033-8300. For after-hours emergencies, call 91-90-0060-4234.
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