Australia has withdrawn its travel advisory against visiting Assam. However, its citizens have been advised to avoid four districts where the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is still in effect, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday.

"Australia has reviewed the travel restrictions issued to its citizens against visiting the state and announced revised guidelines that they can travel in all districts of Assam barring Tinsukia, Charaideo, Dibrugarh and Sibsagar," Sarma said during a press conference held today. "Tourists from Australia can now come to all parts of the state barring where the AFSPA is in force. The Australian High Commission has assured us that if AFSPA is withdrawn from these four districts, they will further lift the restrictions from the entire state", he added.

Australia and Germany have warned their citizens against travelling to the state due to concerns about law and order. "We hope that Germany will also lift the travel restrictions soon", said Sarma. The Chief Minister stated that the upcoming two-day business summit, Advantage Assam, starting on February 24, will have confirmed participation from the heads of 35 missions, with the number possibly increasing to 50. “The delegation of foreign envoys will come on February 23 and visit Kaziranga National Park the same day while the next day they will witness the world record for 'Jhumoir Binandini', the dance of the tea tribe community and attend the business summit on February 25,” he said.

The Prime Minister's Office has arranged a special aircraft to bring foreign envoys to the state, with all expenses covered by the Ministry of External Affairs, the Chief Minister said. He also mentioned that the PMO and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have taken special steps to ensure the delegation's presence. “A high-level business delegation from five countries - Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Bhutan and Japan have confirmed their participation in the summit while Malaysia may also join in,” Sarma said. "Holding roadshows in these countries prior in the run-up to the summit has paid dividends", he added.