New Delhi: Expressing displeasure over the UK government’s decision not to recognize Kovidshield as a valid anti-Covid vaccine, India on Tuesday said the policy is ‘discriminatory’ and it is within the country’s “right to take reciprocal measures”. If the matter is not resolved soon.
Addressing a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that the non-recognition of Covishield is a discriminatory policy and affects our citizens traveling to the United Kingdom.
“The Secretary of State has strongly taken up this issue with the new UK Foreign Secretary. I am told that there have been some assurances that this issue will be resolved,” he said.
Shringla’s remarks External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said the matter was discussed with British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.
Jaishankar’s meeting with British officials came on the same day the UK announced new COVID-related travel restrictions, sparking sharp criticism and concerns in India.
What are the new UK travel rules?
Indian travelers receiving both doses of the Kovishield vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) will be considered non-vaccinated and will have to undergo self-isolation for 10 days.
From 4 October, the current “traffic light system” of red, amber, green countries will be replaced by a red list of countries based on the level of COVID-19 risk.
Now, the elimination of the Amber list, which India currently has, means that the PCR test cost has come down for only a few passengers.
India not in extended list of UK
India is not included in the expanded list of countries whose vaccines are recognized in the UK. This means Indians vaccinated with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by Covishield, SII, will have to undergo mandatory PCR tests as well as self-isolation.
Meanwhile, the UK has said it is engaging with India to explore how it can extend the recognition of the COVID-19 vaccine certification issued by Indian authorities amid criticism of the new British travel rules. news agency PTI reported.
Asked about concerns in India over the new rules that will come into force from October 4, a British High Commission spokesperson told the news agency that the UK is engaged with India on the issue and is committed to reopening international travel. “soon as practicable”.
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