The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Switzerland reinforces travel advisory against visiting Kashmir

kashmir
On August 5 the Indian government removed the autonomy the state has enjoyed for 70 years. Keystone / Altaf Qadri

The Swiss foreign affairs ministry has updated its travel advice for Swiss citizens regarding Indian-administered Kashmir in the wake of the Indian government’s recent decision to scrap its autonomy. 

While Swiss visitors have always been advised against visiting the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, the travel advisory has recently been updated to reflect current tensions on the ground. The recent removal of special autonomy accorded to the state in 1949 – after it acceded to India in 1947 – has led to protests and a government clampdown on free movement and communication facilities.  

“The Indian government has restricted freedom of assembly and movement, limited Internet and telephone connections and strengthened the presence of security forces,” said the updated Swiss government travel advisoryExternal link.  

Swiss citizens are recommended to avoid the northern Indian state, especially the Kashmir Valley. However, those wishing to travel to the Ladakh region of the state may do so, provided they fly directly to Leh airport or take the Manali-to-Leh road route. The route from Kashmir to Leh is therefore out of the question for safety reasons.  

Jammu and Kashmir received just under 80,000 foreign tourists in 2017, or 0.3% share of the country’s total. Close to 50,000 Swiss citizens visited India in 2017. 

More

More

Demographics

Going off-piste in a conflict zone

This content was published on Lured by virgin snow, skiers are ignoring travel advisories to stay away from the conflict prone Kashmir valley in northern India.

Read more: Going off-piste in a conflict zone


Popular Stories

News

Death of Esther Grether, owner of the Doetsch Grether Group

More

Swiss billionaire Esther Grether dies

This content was published on Esther Grether has died aged 89. Considered one of Switzerland’s leading entrepreneurs, the owner of the Basel-based Doetsch Grether Group was also a major shareholder in the Swatch Group and an art collector.

Read more: Swiss billionaire Esther Grether dies
Flag of the Swiss Wrestling Federation ceremoniously received in Mollis GL

More

Three-day Swiss wrestling festival begins

This content was published on The flag of the Swiss Wrestling Federation has been received at the start of the Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival in Mollis, canton Glarus.

Read more: Three-day Swiss wrestling festival begins
Fifa loses multi-million lawsuit against Blatter and Kattner

More

FIFA loses multi-million lawsuit against Blatter and Kattner

This content was published on Former FIFA officials Joseph Blatter and Markus Kattner do not have to pay back their own bonuses or the bonus totalling CHF 23 million paid to another FIFA official to FIFA. This was decided by the Zurich Labour Court.

Read more: FIFA loses multi-million lawsuit against Blatter and Kattner
How cancer makes healthy cells work for itself

More

How cancer cells makes healthy cells work for them

This content was published on Cancer cells manipulate neighbouring cells for their own purposes: a research team at ETH Zurich has discovered that they can reprogram neighbouring cells in such a way that they help the tumour to grow.

Read more: How cancer cells makes healthy cells work for them
Bathing ban for non-residents in Pruntrut JU is extended

More

Swiss pool to extend ban for non-residents

This content was published on The ban on non-residents entering the swimming pool in Porrentruy, canton Jura, expires on Sunday and would be extended until the end of the season, the mayor said.

Read more: Swiss pool to extend ban for non-residents

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR