Just days after the United States issued a Level-2 travel advisory warning its citizens—especially women—against solo travel in India, a French tourist was allegedly raped in Udaipur, Rajasthan. According to the police, the accused lured the woman from a party at a local restaurant to his apartment on the pretext of sightseeing, where he sexually assaulted her. The victim has since undergone a medical examination and filed an FIR. She is currently in stable condition and receiving treatment at a private hospital, while the accused remains absconding. The incident has reignited concerns about the safety of women travellers in India and added renewed urgency to global advisories that highlight such risks.
The United States recently issued a Level-2 travel advisory for India, urging travellers to "exercise increased caution" due to concerns over crime and terrorism. The advisory, released by the US State Department on June 16, particularly warns women against travelling alone and highlights several regions where American citizens should take extra precautions.
“Rape is one of the fastest-growing crimes in India,” the advisory states, adding that violent incidents, including sexual assaults, have occurred at tourist sites and other public areas. The document also raises alarm about potential terrorist threats, stating that attacks could occur without warning in crowded locations such as markets, transport hubs, shopping malls, and government buildings.
The advisory emphasises that the US government has a limited ability to provide emergency assistance to its citizens in India’s rural and remote regions—especially in areas stretching from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. US government employees are required to obtain special authorisation before travelling to these locations.
Among the high-risk regions identified are Jammu and Kashmir, areas along the India-Pakistan border, and parts of central and eastern India. Additionally, US staff need approval before venturing outside capital cities in several states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Meghalaya, and West Bengal. Travel to parts of eastern Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh is also restricted.
The advisory includes specific guidelines for visitors, cautioning them against carrying satellite phones or GPS devices—both of which are illegal in India and can lead to fines of up to $200,000 or imprisonment for up to three years.
One of the most pointed pieces of advice in the advisory is directed at women: “Do not travel alone, especially if you are a woman,” it reads, underscoring persistent concerns about gender-based violence.
Further, the US government has warned its citizens to avoid land crossings along the India-Nepal border, citing the possibility of immigration-related detentions and fines. Travel to Manipur and other parts of the northeastern region has also been discouraged due to ongoing unrest and security risks.
The alleged rape of the French tourist in Udaipur has cast a harsh spotlight on the recent U.S. Level-2 travel advisory for India, which specifically warned solo women travellers to exercise increased caution due to the risk of sexual violence. The incident not only underscores the concerns raised in the advisory but also highlights the vulnerability of foreign tourists—even in popular, high-footfall destinations like Udaipur. With the accused still absconding, the case raises urgent questions about tourist safety, law enforcement responsiveness, and the broader impact such incidents may have on India’s global image as a safe travel destination, particularly for women.