 "UK, Bangladesh & more: Why you should steer clear of these countries for now")
The rioting in the United Kingdom has prompted India to issue an advisory to its citizens to “exercise caution”. This comes as large-scale protests have erupted across the country against the government’s immigration policies.
The violent anti-government protests in Bangladesh also led to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recommending against travel to its neighbouring country. In recent weeks, India and several other countries have warned their citizens in some countries, including Israel, to stay vigilant.
Which countries should you avoid currently? Let’s take a closer look.
UK
The High Commission of India in London on Tuesday (August 6) asked Indians to be cautious and vigilant while travelling to the UK.
“Visitors from India are advised to stay vigilant and exercise due caution while travelling in the UK. It is advisable to follow local news and advisories issued by local security agencies, and to avoid areas where protests are underway", the advisory read.
It also said the Indian High Commission is “closely monitoring the situation”.
Advisory for Indian Citizens visiting the UK.@VDoraiswami @sujitjoyghosh @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/i2iwQ7E3Og
— India in the UK (@HCI_London) August 6, 2024
Impact Shorts
View AllThe advisory comes in the wake of violent clashes between far-right protesters and police officers across the UK. These were triggered by the tragic killing of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in Southport last week.
A 17-year-old boy identified as Axel Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff, has been arrested. However, the incident led to the spread of disinformation on social media about the boy’s nationality and religion, sparking hatred towards the Muslims and the immigrant population in the country. False rumours had spread that the accused was a Muslim asylum-seeker.
Nigeria, Australia, Indonesia and Kenya have warned their nationals about the situation in the UK.
Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was closely monitoring the situation in the UK and urged its citizens to “stay away from protest areas” and “remain vigilant.”
Bangladesh
The situation has been tense in Bangladesh since student protests broke out in July.
The United States has recommended its citizens not to travel to Bangladesh. “On August 5, 2024, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency US government employees and family members. Travellers should not travel to Bangladesh due to ongoing civil unrest in Dhaka,” the US State Department said in its advisory.
On Sunday (4 August), India urged its nationals not to travel to Bangladesh until further notice. “In view of ongoing developments, Indian nationals are strongly advised against travelling to Bangladesh till further notice,” the MEA said.
It also asked Indian nationals in Bangladesh to “exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements and remain in contact with the High Commission of India in Dhaka.”
The advisory came on the day over 100 people died and dozens were injured in the country as protestors demanded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and clashed with the police and members of Chhatra League, the student wing of her party Awami League.
Hasina was forced to resign yesterday amid the deadly protests. She has fled Bangladesh and is currently at a “safe house” in Delhi.
India had previously issued an advisory on July 18, asking its citizens in Bangladesh to avoid local travel and restrict their movement. The MEA had said on July 25 that about 6,700 Indian students had returned from Bangladesh amid the violent protests.
Over 280 people have died in the anti-government demonstrations in Bangladesh that began last month.
Israel
Israel has been embroiled in a war with Hamas in Gaza since last October. The Benjamin Netanyahu-led government says 1,200 people were killed on October 7, 2023 when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel.
Soon after the assault, Israel declared war which led to over 39,000 casualties in Gaza. The West Asian country, which has the backing of the US, has been widely criticised for the bloodbath in the narrow strip.
Calls for ceasefire have intensified with even the US urging Israel to halt its attacks. However, the ceasefire talks were dealt a bloody blow after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, in Iran’s Tehran on July 31.
Hamas and Tehran blamed Israel for the killing and vowed retaliation. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its role in the incident. The US has denied any involvement in the Hamas leader’s killing.
After Haniyeh, the report of the death of the head of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif, emerged. Last week, the Israeli military said it has confirmed Deif was killed in an airstrike in Gaza in July.
The two key Hamas leaders’ death has fuelled further unrest in an already volatile West Asia.
On August 2, India issued a notice for its nationals in Israel, asking them to stay vigilant and follow safety protocols.
“Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters,” the Indian Embassy said in its advisory.
📢*IMPORTANT ADVISORY FOR INDIAN NATIONALS IN ISRAEL*
— India in Israel (@indemtel) August 2, 2024
Link : https://t.co/OEsz3oUtBJ pic.twitter.com/COxuF3msn0
About 18,000 Indians are living in Israel as students, construction workers, professionals and caregivers, as per The Hindu.
Air India too has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until August 8.
Amid the tensions, Canada has asked its nationals to avoid all travel to Israel due to “the ongoing regional armed conflict and the unpredictable security situation.”
“Avoid all travel due to the ongoing regional armed conflict and the unpredictable security situation. The security situation can deteriorate further without warning,” the advisory read.
On 31 July, the US asked its nationals to not travel to Gaza due to terrorism and armed conflict. It also suggested against travel to “northern Israel within 2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders due to the rising tensions” between the Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel.
It also urged them to “reconsider” travel to Israel and West Bank due to “terrorism and civil unrest”.
Iran
Iran is ready to take revenge on Israel for the killing of Haniyeh on its soil. The Hamas top political leader was in the Iranian capital of Tehran for the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian when he was killed.
Tehran blamed Israel and the US for the assassination of a “guest”, threatening retaliation for the violation of its sovereignty.
Tehran’s attack is imminent now. It seems a matter of not if but when. Iran remains in the US’ highest ‘Level 4: Do Not Travel’ category.
So far, India has not issued a travel advisory on Iran.
Lebanon
India has suggested its citizens leave Lebanon and avoid travel to the West Asian country amid heightened tensions.
“Those who remain for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements and remain in contact with Embassy of India in Beirut through their email id: cons.beirut@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone number + 96176860120,” the Indian embassy in Lebanon said on August 1.
Updated travel advisory for Indian Nationals. pic.twitter.com/vDTao33LnM
— India in Lebanon (Embassy of India, Beirut) (@IndiaInLebanon) August 1, 2024
This came after Israel killed Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.
Earlier on August 1, India had advised against non-essential travel to Lebanon but did not recommend leaving the country.
The US, the UK, Australia, France, Canada, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Turkey and Jordan have also urged their citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, has vowed retaliation against Shukr’s assassination.
India had issued the first travel advisory on July 29, after the the rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 children and teenagers. Israel has blamed Hezbollah for the strike, claiming Shukr was behind it.
In view of this incident, India had advised its nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Lebanon.
Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in continuous firing recently. Fears of Lebanon getting dragged into a wider conflict in West Asia are at an all-time high now.
Several airlines are also avoiding the Iranian, Israeli and Lebanese airspace.
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