UK and U.S. advise nationals to leave

Straw: "I have a clear duty of care in respect of both UK citizens and of UK staff in diplomatic posts abroad"

LONDON, England -- Britain and the United States have issued advice to their nationals in India and Pakistan to consider leaving because of the threat of war between the two nations.

The families of UK Government staff and non-essential staff will be offered the chance to return home, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said on Friday.

Straw issued the new advice following a similar move by the U.S. State Department which authorised the voluntary departure of non-emergency personnel and all dependents from the U.S. Embassy and consulates in India.

Citing the possibility of "military hostilities" and terrorist activity, the State Department urged up to about 60,000 Americans living in India to "depart the country" and authorised the voluntary departure of non-essential personnel and all dependents from the U.S. Embassy and consulates there.

CNN NewsPass VIDEO CNN's Suhasini Haidar says a Pentagon study finds as many as 12 million people could be killed in a Pakistan-India nuclear conflict (May 30) Play video   AUDIO Satinder Bindra on leaked reports that Indian missiles have been deployed along front line positions 2.35 MB / 1 min 50 secs WAV sound   RESOURCES Infographic: Maps and military    TULLY ON SOUTH ASIA South Asia powerplay: The threat of war  • Tully's India archive >>

An "authorised" departure means the U.S. government will pay for the plane tickets out for those people.

In a travel warning posted on the State Department's Web site, the U.S. government "warns American citizens to defer travel to India" because of tensions with Pakistan.

"Tensions have risen to serious levels and the risk of intensified military hostilities between India and Pakistan cannot be ruled out," the warning reads.

The Foreign Office, in London, estimates there are about 20,000 British nationals living in India, not all of them registered with consular officials. About 700 Britons are registered in Pakistan.

Straw's warning to leave was a reverse of advice he gave earlier in the week. He said: "One Wednesday in New Delhi, I said that whilst the situation between India and Pakistan was dangerous, war was not inevitable.

"That remains my view and we are working as hard as we can to secure a peaceful resolution of the long-standing conflict.

"However, I do have a clear duty of care in respect of both UK citizens and of UK staff in diplomatic posts abroad."

The Foreign Office Web site advises travellers against visiting the country and those already there should consider leaving. The visa service will continue but at a reduced level, Straw said.

"The United States is taking similar action. Obviously when and if the situation improves the travel advice and the arrangements for our staff will be changed accordingly," he added.

Pakistani troops are being redeployed from the western border with Afghanistan to the eastern flank with India

The Foreign Office said: "On 23 May we changed our travel advice to warn against all but essential travel to Pakistan and that all British nationals in Pakistan should consider leaving.

"In view of the heightened tension and increased risk of conflict with India, we are now advising against all travel to Pakistan for the time being. We continue to advise all British nationals currently in Pakistan to consider whether they should leave. "