Foreign secretary raises discriminatory nature of Britain’s vaccine recognition for AstraZeneca but not for Covishield; says India is well within its rights to take reciprocal action in the matter
People wait to receive a Covid-19 vaccine in a hospital in Mumbai, on Tuesday. Pic/AFP
India will take reciprocal measures against UK’s “discriminatory” move to recognise AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine but not Covishield, said Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Tuesday. Speaking at a news conference, Shringla said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has raised the issue strongly with the new UK foreign secretary. “Have raised the discriminatory nature of UK vaccine recognition for AstraZeneca but not Covishield. Discussions on, but if they do not satisfy us, we would be well within our rights to take reciprocal action,” Shringla said.
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A health worker administers a Covid-19 vaccine dose to a beneficiary, at a vaccination centre, in Gurugram, on Tuesday. Pic/PTI
Non-Recognition of Covishield is a discriminating policy and impacts Indian citizens travelling to the UK,” he added. The developments came after the new rules issued by UK authorities stated that Indians travelling to the UK would be considered unvaccinated and have to go through 10 days isolation periods.
“I am told that certain assurances have been given that this issue will be resolved,” the foreign secretary added while addressing a special press briefing on PM Narendra Modi’s first visit to the US after the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. Modi will be accompanied by a high-level delegation consisting of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and senior officials including Shringla.
“The main elements of the programme are bilateral meetings with US leaderships, participation at Quad leaders’ summit and address at the UN General Assembly,” the foreign secretary said. During the significant visit to the US, PM Modi would on September 24 participate in the Leaders’ Summit of the Quadrilateral Framework in Washington along with his US, Japanese and Australian counterparts. The bilateral meeting with the US President is also scheduled for the day.
People wait to receive a Covid-19 vaccine at a hospital in Mumbai on Tuesday. Pic/AFP
India’s fresh cases dip
Meanwhile, India’s daily Covid tally marginally improved with 26,115 new cases in the last 24 hours against the 30,000 plus cases that were reported daily for the last few days. Out of total fresh Covid cases reported in the last 24 hours across the country, 15,692 were reported from Kerala alone while Maharashtra accounted for 2,583 cases, according to the Union Health Ministry’s report.
30 cases from Delhi detected in Bihar
Cases of Covid-19 can rise again in Bihar, officials fear after 30 fresh cases were detected in north Bihar’s Madhubani district. The district administration carried out Covid testing drives at the Madhubani railway station and bus stand on Monday. Thirty passengers arriving from Delhi aboard Swatantrata Senani express tested positive, an official said. “There were 152 passengers who came on the train on Monday. All of them underwent Covid-19 tests and 30 of them were detected positive,” said Sunil Kumar Jha, civil surgeon of Madhubani district.
Covid-19 protocols go for a toss in TN
Even as the Tamil Nadu government has been working overtime to vaccinate maximum number of people, in many districts, the Covid protocols, including safe distancing and wearing of masks are not being followed by people. In Kallakuruchi district for instance, several people were seen travelling in the Tamil Nadu State Road Transport buses without masks. Youngsters even travel on footboards on the bus in full public view without wearing masks. Most of the commuters in the state-run buses, including women are not seen wearing masks.
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No. of Covid-19 fatalities reported in India in last 24 hours
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