Overview
- The European Union told Assam officials on June 19–20 that it has withdrawn its negative travel advisory for the state, allowing citizens of its 27 member countries to travel to most areas without the previous restrictions.
- The advisory continues to apply to three eastern districts — Charaideo, Tinsukia and Sivasagar — because they remain covered by the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, a law that gives extra powers to security forces in disturbed areas.
- EU Ambassador Hervé Delphin conveyed the change to Assam’s chief secretary, a move the state government says followed a recent visit by a high-level EU delegation and closer diplomatic engagement.
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state will press the United States and Canada to lift their remaining travel warnings and is racing to boost tourism infrastructure such as homestays, nature camps and a single-window booking portal to welcome EU visitors.
- The advisory removals build on earlier relaxations by Australia and Japan and undo a stigma that dates to 1979 when many foreign governments began warning against travel to Assam because of long-running unrest.