On May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoah, a series of military strikes in Pakistan against what was referred to by the Indian military as “terrorist infrastructure.” Pakistan retaliated, with fierce artillery fighting between the two countries at its border and naval bases in the Indian Ocean. On May 10th, a ceasefire between the nations was announced. Unfortunately, the ceasefire was breached shortly afterwards, and the bombardment attack lasted several more days. However, as of May 12, the shootings had stopped at both the border and the border and at the LOC (line of control). This is located in the conflict zones of Jammu and Kashmir.
India’s missile attacks on Pakistan came in response to a terrorist attack on tourists in Pahargam district, Kashmir on April 22, 2025. Armed with assault rifles, the militants entered the popular tourist spot, Baisalan Valley, where 26 civilians were killed. It is considered the most deadly attack on Indian civilians since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack. The Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided for decades to take military action against Pakistan, accused of state-sponsored terrorism.
“The escalated skirmish at the border has ended and the ceasefire is still in place,” says Jamshyd Sethna, owner of Banyan Tours, a top destination management company, a luxury travel agency focused on India’s Himalayas. “From our perspective, it is completely safe to travel to India. Thankfully, it didn’t affect our bookings. Our company is also operated in the Union Territories of Ladakh, and things are running normally.” (Ladakh is located in northern India along the western edge of the Himalayas and along about 300 miles east of Pahargam, Kashmir.)
Cessna said, “We understand that there is tension in media coverage, but we understand that all Western government recommendations are completely safe, as evidenced by all Western government recommendations, except for the Kashmir Valley, which is off the travel list for most international travelers.
The US government last updated its India travel advisory on July 23, 2024, but has remained at Level 2 ever since. However, the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir have existing Level 4 advisories due to terrorism and civil unrest (except for the Ladakh region) prior to recent events. The US State Department has also warned against travel within 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of the Indian-Pakistan border, focusing on the possibility of armed conflict and existing Level 4 advisories in the region.
“India, despite the current political situation, remains a safe and comfortable destination for travelers,” said Katy Andrews, Asian Regional Specialist at Wilderness Travel, a global tour operator in Berkeley, California. “Wilderness Travel actively operates travel across the country, including central and eastern regions of Ladakh.”
Andrews said the company is currently not travelling in Jammu and Kashmir, “advising tourists to avoid border areas. However, Ladakh’s Union territory continues to be peaceful and stable, and welcome visitors.”
“Of course, at any time of a military conflict, the situation can change rapidly, so it’s important to stay up to date with current events and state travel advisories and travel with an experienced and reputable guide,” adds Andrews.
Thirty-two airports, mainly in northern India, had been temporarily closed due to conflict, but were reopened after a ceasefire. Many internal flights in northern India have been cancelled for safety reasons, but air travel has now resumed normally. The southern, central and eastern parts of the country did not see changes in flight schedules or experience any safety issues related to the recent India-Pakistan clash.
“When (the conflict) broke out between India and Pakistan, I was experiencing anxiety and anxiety on May 12 about my trip to India, particularly about transport through Mumbai,” says Suchorita Seth, a retired expert in Atlanta, a US citizen. “The Indian government continued to close more airports and Mumbai airport was high and vigilant. But my trip was very peaceful and safe. Additional bag checks in Mumbai are additional bag checks in Mumbai. Now in Kolkata, I feel that I have been removed from tensions at the northwest border of India.
Despite last week’s peace agreement between the two countries, the long-term solution appears to be far from reach. The issue began in 1947 when the two countries became independent and fought which state Kashmir should be. Since then, there have been tensions between India and Pakistan, and several wars have erupted. Türkiye has spoken out about his support for Pakistan in the wake of a border skirmish, and India has cut ties with several businesses and universities.
It’s too early to say how much the recent rise in tensions will affect travel and tourism to India, but South Asian countries have been on their path to growth before this recent rise in violence. India welcomed 9.52 million foreign tourists in 2023 and reported arrivals of 10.93 million foreign tourists in 2019, bringing its pre-pandemic levels closer to pre-pandemic levels. The country’s tourism minister recently announced plans to double the arrival of Indian foreign tourists to 25 million over the next five years. Time shows how realistic the projection is.
