Posted on 05/31/2002 8:45:50 AM PDT by HAL9000
‘On Wednesday in New Delhi, I said that whilst the situation between India and Pakistan was dangerous, war was not inevitable. That remains my view, and we are all working as hard as we can to secure a peaceful resolution of this long-standing conflict.‘However, I do have a clear duty of care in respect both of UK citizens, and of UK staff in diplomatic posts abroad. As a precautionary measure, I have therefore decided:
- to amend our travel advice to India. This now advises, for the time being, against travel to India, and gives more detailed in-country advice. British nationals there should consider leaving.
- to offer dependants of British Government staff and less-essential staff themselves the chance to return home if they choose;
- we will continue to offer a visa service, but at a reduced level.
‘The United States is taking similar action. Obviously, when and if the situation improves the travel advice and the arrangements for our staff will be changed accordingly.’
Questions and Answers
INDIA
What is your new travel advice for India?
In view of the heightened tension and increased risk of conflict with Pakistan, we advise against travel to India for the time being. We further advise all British nationals currently in India to consider whether they should leave.
Why is the FCO changing its advice?
We have taken this decision in the light of the heightened tension between India and Pakistan and the increased risk of conflict. We are offering dependants of UK staff and less essential staff in our posts in northern India (Delhi and Mumbai) the option to return home.
What is your advice to British nationals in India at the moment, or who are about to travel there?
In view of the heightened tension and increased risk of conflict with Pakistan, we advise against travel to India for the time being. We further advise all British nationals currently in India to consider whether they should leave. Commercial flights are still operating as normal into and out of India and British nationals should consider leaving on these flights. We are advising British nationals in India to contact travel operators about the availability of airline seats.
Does your travel advice cover all of India (including e.g. Goa)?
Yes, our travel advice covers all areas of the country.
How will this affect my travel insurance if I do decide to travel?
Whether or not you are covered depends on what your insurance policy says. You should check the terms of your policy and contact your insurer if you are unclear about what they mean.
What will I do about my holiday which is already booked? Will I be able to get a re-fund?
You should contact the tour operator who you have booked your holiday with, or the travel agent who you booked it through. They will be able to advise you about refunds. You should also contact your insurer.
What are you going to do to get the information about the change to your travel advice out to British nationals who are already in India?
The High Commission will publicise the change as they normally would, including using our warden network to get the information out to the British community resident in India. Additionally, friends or relatives of those travelling in the region might wish to contact them with the information.
How can I get the information to my son who is backpacking in Asia at the moment?
You should use the methods that you normally use to contact relatives travelling in India/Asia. If you cannot make direct contact you should try to leave messages for them in places where you think they might be now or be going to in the near future.
When will it be safe to go to India again?
We are keeping the situation under close and constant review. You should keep on checking our website for updates in our travel advice.
Are you going to evacuate British nationals from India?
No, we are not currently planning to evacuate British nationals from India. We are advising all British nationals currently in India to consider whether they should leave. Commercial flights are still operating as normal into and out of India and British nationals should consider leaving on these flights. We are advising British nationals in India to contact travel operators about the availability of airline seats.
What happens if they can’t afford to leave?
They should contact relatives in the UK and ask them to transfer sufficient funds to them. They should stay in contact with the High Commission.
How many British nationals are there in India?
There could be as many as 20,000 British nationals in India. Some of these have registered with the High Commission, but registration is on a voluntary basis and so many have not.
What about dual nationals? How many are there and are you also recommending they leave?
Indian law does not recognise dual nationals.
How many British nationals visit India every year?
Many thousands of British nationals visit India every year. They range from Britons visiting friends and family in India to those on organised tours.
What about British prisoners in India?
We currently have 23 prisoners in custody in India and seven currently on bail. We are continuing to monitor their welfare as normal. We are in touch with their families.
What about forced marriage cases? And child abduction cases?
We are continuing to provide normal consular assistance to victims of forced marriage and in cases of child abduction. Each case is different and the assistance that we can give will depend on the facts of each individual case.
What happens if a British national needs to renew their passport?
You should contact the nearest High Commission/Deputy High Commission.
How can I find out more about the situation/keep up to date with developments?
You can follow events in the media and keep checking the travel advice on our website. You can call our travel advice helpline on 0117 916 9000.
I am going to Nepal on holiday – will this affect me?
We are not advising against travel to Nepal. However, since the declaration of a state of emergency in November 2001, Maoist violence throughout Nepal has continued to increase causing widespread disruption across the country. British nationals planning to travel to Nepal should monitor events carefully. You should check our website for more detailed information, which will be updated regularly with the latest security and travel information. Additional information can be found at www.britain.gov.np. You can also call our travel advice helpline on 0117 916 9000.
We are keeping our travel advice to Nepal, as with all countries, under constant review.
I am going to Sri Lanka on holiday – will I be affected?
We are not advising against travel to Sri Lanka, except to the north and the east of the country. Visitors should be aware that there has been a high level of terrorist activity in the past. A formal ceasefire in the conflict with the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) was signed on 22 February and the chance of visitors being caught up in a terrorist attack are low, but they should take particular care and remain vigilant. You should check our website for more detailed information, or you can call our travel advice helpline on 0117 916 9000.
We are keeping our travel advice to Sri Lanka, as with all countries, under constant review.
What will happen to the NGOs who have vital work to carry out in India?
It is for NGOs working in India to make plans to ensure the safety of their staff. We hope that they will heed our travel advice in relation to any British nationals on their staff.
Will you be changing your travel advice again soon?
We are keeping the situation under close and constant review. You should keep on checking our website for updates in our travel advice or call our travel advice helpline on 0117 916 9000.
PAKISTAN
Has the FCO changed its travel advice to Pakistan?
On 23 May we changed our travel advice to warn against all but essential travel to Pakistan and that all British nationals in Pakistan should consider leaving. In view of the heightened tension and increased risk of conflict with India, we are now advising against all travel to Pakistan for the time being. We continue to advise all British nationals currently in Pakistan to consider whether they should leave.
What is your advice to British nationals in Pakistan at the moment, or who are about to travel there?
In view of the heightened tension and increased risk of conflict with India, we advise against all travel to Pakistan for the time being. We further advise all British nationals currently in Pakistan to consider whether they should leave. Commercial flights are still operating as normal into and out of Pakistan and British nationals should consider leaving on these flights. We are advising British nationals in Pakistan to contact travel operators about the availability of airline seats.
We will continue to do everything we can to help any British national who remains in Pakistan. But increased demand for consular services and reduced staff levels mean that what we can do is more limited. That is why we are advising that all British nationals currently in Pakistan should consider leaving.
What are you going to do to get the information about the change to your travel advice out to British nationals who are already in Pakistan?
The High Commission will publicise the change as they normally would, including using our warden network to get the information out to the British community resident in Pakistan. Additionally, friends or relatives of those travelling in the region might wish to contact them with the information.
When will it be safe to go to Pakistan again?
We are keeping the situation under close and constant review. You should keep on checking our website for updates in our travel advice.
Are you going to evacuate British nationals from Pakistan?
No, we are not currently planning to evacuate British nationals from Pakistan. However, in view of the heightened tension and increased risk of conflict with India, we advise against all travel to Pakistan for the time being. We further advise all British nationals currently in Pakistan to consider whether they should leave. Commercial flights are still operating as normal into and out of Pakistan and British nationals should consider leaving on these flights. We are advising British nationals in Pakistan to contact travel operators about the availability of airline seats.
What happens if they can’t afford to leave?
They should contact relatives in the UK and ask them to transfer sufficient funds to them. They should stay in contact with the High Commission.
Are you organising an evacuation of your staff?
We have recently withdrawn dependants of UK staff and non-core staff from our missions in Pakistan. However, we are not planning to evacuate our remaining staff.
Will you be changing your travel advice again soon?
We are keeping the situation under close and constant review. You should keep on checking our website for updates in our travel advice or call our travel advice helpline on 0117 916 9000.
Notes for Editors
1. The action taken today is different to that of 22 May when the Foreign Secretary announced a compulsory reduction of diplomatic staffing levels for Pakistan . That decision was taken based on our assessment of the security threat to UK assets in Pakistan from militant groups operating there.
I suppose circumstances will dictate how many can get out before things get worse. I read an article this morning that India was planning a limited attack but would wait two weeks to see if diplomatic efforts yield fruit.
One other thing: The fact that this warning applies to all of India and not just the North is telling. That says to me that they are concerned about more than just a limited conventional war.
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India and Pakistan
Spokesman Richard Boucher, May 30: "We have done an ordered departure of our personnel from Pakistan and given the public the advice to defer travel. We have given the advice to defer travel to India now. And we have to consider whether an ordered or authorized departure might be appropriate for our personnel in India as well, given the rise in the level of tensions in the region."
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The announcements coming out of the US are consistent with the UK announcements (of course, they are coordinated). I think it is interesting that Boucher hints at ordered (versus voluntary) departures in the near future. I really believe that the advice to hop a Commercial jet is simply the first logical step in getting everyone out.
http://travel.state.gov/india_warning.html
Excerpt: "The Department of State urges American citizens currently in India to depart the country"
That is pretty strong language.
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