India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate: Multiple Countries Issue Travel Warning After Operation Sindoor

Heightened alert at the India-Pakistan border as global travel warnings rise following Operation Sindoor. (Representative Image)

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, several countries have issued updated travel advisories following India’s recent military action, Operation Sindoor. This operation was launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians and was claimed by the terror group The Resistance Front.

India’s strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have led to heightened security concerns across the region. In response, nations such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, China, Australia, and Singapore have urged their citizens to avoid or reconsider travel to high-risk areas—particularly Jammu & Kashmir, the India-Pakistan border, and other sensitive zones vulnerable to terrorism and armed conflict. Here's latest travel advisories issued by these countries.

United States
The U.S. Department of State has reiterated its "Do Not Travel" advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, and for areas near the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control. According to the April 23, 2025 Security Alert, U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to Jammu and Kashmir. U.S. citizens are advised to leave areas of conflict if it is safe to do so, or shelter in place if evacuation is not possible. The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan also warned of disrupted air travel, with temporary flight suspensions announced in Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot, while some civilian flights operated overnight.

Canada
Canada’s travel advisory instructs its citizens to avoid all travel within 50 km of the Afghanistan border and within 10 km of borders shared with China, India, and Iran. These precautions reflect rising concerns over terrorism, the threat of cross-border military conflict, and general instability in these frontier areas. The advisory underscores the unpredictable security environment and urges Canadians to follow government updates closely.

United Kingdom
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has warned British nationals against traveling within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border, within 10 miles of the Line of Control, and to Balochistan Province in Pakistan. Travelers currently in the region are advised to contact their airlines, stay alert to updates from the FCDO, and follow all local authority instructions as the security situation remains fluid.

China
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has cautioned its citizens against traveling to areas near the India-Pakistan border due to the high likelihood of cross-border hostilities and sudden security incidents. The advisory calls for travelers to delay plans to visit conflict-prone zones until stability returns. Chinese nationals are urged to monitor official channels for updates and to comply with any directives issued by local authorities.

Australia
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has updated its Smartraveller advisory, advising against all travel to Jammu and Kashmir, the entire India-Pakistan border, and Manipur. This follows India’s May 7 missile strikes targeting Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Additionally, the Wagah and Attari border crossings have been closed, and flights to major northern cities like Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, Amritsar, and Dharamshala have been suspended, further complicating travel plans in the region.

Singapore
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a new advisory urging its citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan. Emphasis has been placed on exercising caution, especially in the border regions between the two nations. The advisory, which updated its earlier April 30 alert, encourages Singaporeans already in the area to seek consular assistance if needed. Local travel agencies are also re-evaluating tour packages to the affected destinations.

As India-Pakistan tensions rise, countries across the globe are urging travelers to steer clear of sensitive areas. Updated advisories stress the importance of staying informed, following official guidance, and prioritizing personal safety while in or near affected regions.