New Delhi, Sep 14 - The US Monday sought to downplay the travel advisory warning of terrorist attacks across India during the coming festival season, saying it has been done to ensure the security of a large number of Americans who visit the country.

'We do take care of American citizens in India. It (the advisory) is to keep them informed about where to go and when to go,' James Herman, minister counsellor for consular affairs at the US embassy, told reporters here.

Around 800,000 Americans visited India last year.

The advisory was issued 'after a general discussion among key members of the US embassy staff', based on information from a variety of sources about the threat perception to American citizens, he explained.

Herman was speaking at the opening of a new upgraded consular section at the embassy here that will smoothen the process of getting Americans visas and make it quicker.