The consular section was formally inaugurated by US ambassador Timothy J. Roemer.

'The November 2008 attacks in Mumbai provided a vivid reminder that hotels and other public places are especially attractive targets for terrorist groups. US citizens are urged always to practice good security, maintain a heightened situational awareness and a low profile,' the state department said in a travel alert on India posted on the embassy website.

The US has posted such advisories and what it calls warden messages to caution its citizens in India from time to time about the threat to their lives while staying in India.

India has objected to such travel alerts in the past, but the US has contended that it was just doing its duty to protect US citizens.