The United States closed its consular office and the American Center in India’s commercial hub Bombay on Tuesday and warned its citizens to take maintain extra vigilance in view of a terror threat, a U.S. official said.
“The (U.S. diplomatic) message encourages American citizens in Mumbai (Bombay) consular areas to main a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase security,” U.S. Embassy spokesman David Kennedy told Reuters.
“We take the threat seriously enough.”
He did not elaborate on the nature of the threat or which group was behind the threat.
The consular wing of the U.S. mission in Bombay, which issues visas, and the American Center, used for educational and cultural activities, were the two offices ordered shut.
Kennedy said the U.S. embassy was working closely with Indian law enforcement agencies on security arrangements for American diplomatic and cultural offices in India.
The United States has consulates and cultural centers in several Indian cities, including Calcutta and Madras, and thousands of American citizens work or travel in India at any given time.
