Assam travel advisory relaxed by EU nations, except 3 AFSPA districts

EU member states have eased travel advisories for most of Assam, while three districts remain under caution, according to reporting on June 20, 2026 and comments from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The change is being viewed in Assam as a positive signal for tourism and international perceptions of safety in the state. Sarma said the EU had lifted its negative travel advisory for most parts of Assam, while talks were continuing with the United States and Canada for similar changes.

What changed

Reports said the updated guidance now covers most of Assam more positively, but still keeps caution in place for three districts linked to AFSPA-related security concerns. The exact wording of the revised advisories and which EU member states updated them separately was not immediately clear.

The development follows earlier travel warnings that had affected how foreign visitors and agencies viewed parts of the state.

Timeline

The first reports of the change came on June 20, 2026, when media outlets said EU nations had relaxed advisories for most of Assam except three AFSPA districts. Later that day, additional reporting quoted Sarma saying the EU had removed its negative advisory for most of the state.

An Economic Times report later the same day repeated Sarma’s account and framed the update as a boost for tourism and safety perception.

Why it matters

Assam has long been shaped by travel caution linked to security concerns in some areas. A relaxation in foreign advisories can affect visitor confidence, tour operator decisions and broader efforts by the state government to promote tourism.

Sarma said Assam is now pressing for similar changes from US and Canadian authorities.

Open questions

It remains unclear whether the update came from a collective EU statement or from member-state-by-member-state changes. The three districts still under caution were not named in the reporting reviewed for this story.