British tourists travelling to India have been urged to be careful about carrying certain phones and GPS devices after a number of UK nationals were arrested. 

On its travel advice webpage for the country, the Foreign Office noted authorities received reports of holidaymakers being detained for bringing restricted items into the country. 

The Foreign Office said: “It is illegal to possess and operate satellite phones and GPS devices in India without a licence, even if you are only transiting through India. This may also cover other satellite-enabled devices, including handheld or cycling GPSs.

“You can be fined or arrested for possession of these devices without permission and the item can be confiscated. A number of British nationals have been arrested or detained for bringing satellite phones and other satellite-enabled navigational devices into the country without prior permission.

“Contact the Indian Department of Telecommunication to request a licence. Further information is also available at the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.” 

E-cigarettes and related products are also banned in India and they cannot be purchased or brought into the country. It is also illegal to smoke in most public places, the travel advice noted. 

The UK Foreign Office also advises against travel to certain areas of India due to safety concerns.

Specifically, travel is discouraged within 10km of the India-Pakistan border, except for Wagah, where border crossings are permitted. 

Travel to the Jammu and Kashmir region is also advised against, apart from air travel to and from Jammu, within Jammu city, and in the Ladakh region.

Additionally, UK tourists are advised to avoid all but essential travel to the state of Manipur, including its capital, Imphal, due to ongoing curfews and restrictions following violence in 2023. 

The rest of India is generally considered safe for travel.