Is it safe to travel to India and Pakistan right now?
Multiple countries have issued travel advisories for India and Pakistan following recent escalations in tensions and a bloody military battle. With India shutting down some airports for commercial flights and Pakistan closing off its airspace, travelers will need to confirm their plans in advance of any travel.
Travel Advisories
The U.S. Mission to Pakistan sent a notice on May 7 advising U.S. citizens to depart areas of active conflict if they can do so safely or to take shelter. “U.S. citizens are reminded of the ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory for areas in the vicinity of the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict, and the U.S. Department of State’s ‘Reconsider Travel’ advisory for Pakistan generally.”
India is under a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution travel advisory. The U.S. State Department warns against travel to Jammu and Kashmir and within 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of the India-Pakistan border.
The UK Foreign Office has advised against travel within 10 kilometers of the India-Pakistan border. “Airspace remains closed to the north and northwest of Delhi. Airspace restrictions may be announced or changed at short notice, and British nationals should contact their airline for up-to-date information,” it noted. Similarly, in its Pakistan advisory, it stated that the Wagah Border crossing is closed and travelers should avoid all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control.
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Singaporean citizens have also been warned to avoid non-essential travel to Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan. The advisory also urged citizens to monitor local news and follow the instructions of local authorities. Australia has also urged its citizens to take official warnings seriously and monitor local media for updates.
Currently, airlines are avoiding airspace over southern Pakistan and northern India. United Airlines, Dutch airline KLM, Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Taiwanese EVA Air, German Lufthansa, Thai Airways, and Vietnam Airlines have all changed their flight paths. India has shut down 27 airports across the country until May 10, while Pakistan has also suspended commercial operations in Lahore and Islamabad. Many airlines have canceled flights to Pakistan and India.
What’s Happening
Tensions boiled over between India and Pakistan this week after India launched an airstrike on nine sites in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Pakistan overnight on Wednesday. India claims that it only targeted militant sites, and the strike was a retaliation against an attack that occurred in Pahalgam, Kashmir, last month, which killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan-based terrorists for the attack, but the rival nation has denied the allegations. Gunfire at the border has continued for many days, resulting in casualties on both sides. In Pakistan, 31 people died from the missile attack, while in India, 15 people have died from shelling by Pakistan. It is expected that Pakistan will also take military measures against India, prompting the country to conduct mock drills in preparation. Both nations possess nuclear weapons, and countries around the world have urged de-escalation.
After the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, a series of diplomatic measures were taken by India, to which Pakistan responded in kind. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the country would stop the flow of water into neighboring countries; the two nations share rivers and have a water treaty, which has now been suspended. India revoked visas for Pakistani nationals, and the neighboring country reciprocated, resulting in many individuals being evicted after living for years or decades on special visas. Pakistan also closed its airspace to Indian airlines, forcing them to reroute flights.
