New Delhi: The US and Canada have issued fresh travel alerts to its citizens in India, warning them of possible terrorist attacks ahead of Independence Day, but the government dubbed such advisories as "routine" saying there was no threat to foreigners.
"There is a continuing threat from terrorism throughout India and the upcoming series of major holidays (including August 15 Independence Day celebrations) could provide terrorist groups an opportunity or pretext to stage an attack," a message put up on the US embassy website said.
This is the second such alert issued by the US mission in less than two-and-a-half-months.
A travel warning, posted on the Canadian High Commission website said, "Canadians travelling to India should be particularly vigilant in the lead up to and on days of national significance, as militants have used such occasions to mount attacks in the past."
It noted that in the run up to Independence Day, the government has increased security throughout the country, particularly in the cities of Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad."
Seeking to downplay the advisories, Union Home Secretary G K Pillai said, "The US keeps sending advisories. I think they send at least 30 to 40 advisories in a year. These are routine and general in nature. There is nothing new in it."
He said the security arrangements for the Independence Day across the country were good and there was no specific threat to American citizens.