(a) whether the Government of United States of America has issued advisory to its citizen with regard to travel to India specifying terrorist attacks and rape as concerns;
(b) if so, the details thereof and response of the Government thereto;
(c) the number of foreign tourists attacked and faced sexual assault in the last five years , State-wise; and
(d) the steps being taken to counter this situation?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) & (b) The Government of India is aware of the travel advisory issued on 15 November 2021 by the Government of United States of America as part of efforts to regularly update their citizens travelling abroad about the prevailing security situation in foreign countries. The U.S. Travel advisory for India recommended that U.S. citizens travelling to India may exercise increased caution due to crime and terrorism.
The Government of India is regularly engaged with the Government of U.S.A on the importance of ensuring mobility and facilitating travel between the two countries in view of our robust people-to-people linkages, which have been mutually beneficial.
(c) Number of crimes reported in India against foreigners (tourists and residents) in the last 5 years is given below:
Year- Crime against foreigners*
2020 - 191
2019 - 404
2018 - 517
2017- 492
2016 - 382
State wise breakup of data is enclosed at Annexure A
*Source: Website of National Crime Records Bureau
(d) Government of India has taken the following steps aimed at ensuring the safety and security of the tourists:
The Ministry of Tourism has launched the 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 in 12 Languages including 10 international language, Hindi & English in February 2016, for domestic and foreign tourists to provide support service in terms of information relating to Travel in India and guidance to tourists in distress while travelling in India.
Ministry of Tourism has advised all the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations to deploy Tourist Police in the States/Union Territories. The State Governments/UT Administrations of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha have deployed Tourist Police, in one form or the other for the safety and security of Tourists.
The Ministry of Tourism along with all stakeholders, including the Tourism Departments of all States and UTs, have adopted the ‘Code of Conduct for Safe & Honourable Tourism’ which is a set of guidelines to encourage tourism activities to be undertaken with respect for basic right like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents in particular, women and children.
The Bureau of Police Research and Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, has constituted a Committee with Ministry of Tourism as a member setting up of Dedicated Call Centres with Police Personnel at important tourist destinations with high footfalls. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also requested Chief Secretaries/ Administrators of States / Union Territories to implement pilot projects on Tourist Police at important tourist places.
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