# Canada Updates India Travel Advisory: What Ottawa Travellers Need to Know
**If you’re an Ottawa resident planning a trip to India, listen up.** The Government of Canada refreshed its travel advisory for India on March 27, 2026, and there are important updates you need to know before you board that flight from Ottawa International Airport.
Canada maintains a **Level 2 advisory for India — Exercise a High Degree of Caution** — with some regions carrying significantly higher risk levels. Most notably, the advisory now urges travellers to avoid non-essential travel to Manipur due to terrorism and insurgency concerns, while maintaining “avoid all travel” warnings for Jammu and Kashmir and areas within 10 kilometres of the Pakistan border.
## What This Means for Your Travel Plans
For most Ottawa travellers heading to popular destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, or Rajasthan’s tourist circuit, the Level 2 designation means you can travel, but you need to stay alert. Terrorist attacks remain a threat throughout the country, and the security landscape can shift quickly.
The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir presents the most serious concerns. Violent clashes between militants and security forces happen regularly, and civilian casualties have occurred during attacks targeting security personnel. Indian authorities may impose curfews or movement restrictions with little warning, and the military operates with enhanced powers in this territory.
Border regions with Pakistan carry additional hazards including landmines and unexploded ordnance — the Attari-Wagah crossing is currently closed.
## Health Preparation: Your First Line of Defence
While security concerns grab headlines, health preparation deserves equal attention. India presents distinct health risks that Ottawa travellers may not encounter at home: food and waterborne diseases, mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria, and altitude sickness if you’re visiting mountainous regions.
A pre-travel health consultation should be your starting point, ideally 6-8 weeks before departure. Depending on your itinerary, recommended vaccines may include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, and routine immunizations. Your travel health provider can also prescribe altitude sickness medication if you’re trekking in Ladakh or other high-elevation areas, anti-malarial drugs for certain regions, and antibiotics for traveller’s diarrhea.
Don’t overlook travel insurance that covers medical evacuation — critical given the security situation in some areas and limited medical facilities outside major cities.
## Before You Go: Essential Steps
Review the complete Government of Canada travel advisory and register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service. Download offline maps, keep copies of your passport and visa, and share your itinerary with family back in Ottawa.
Most importantly, book that travel health consultation. Your physical wellbeing and your safety awareness go hand in hand when travelling to complex destinations like India.
Travelling to India? Before you go, speak with one of our ISTM-certified travel health physicians – virtually, 7 days a week. A pre-travel consultation covers vaccines, medications, and destination-specific health risks. Book your virtual consultation at Orleans Travel Clinic Pharmacy.