NEW YORK: Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar urged for “initial resolution” of the Covid-19 quarantine problem and discussed the situation in Afghanistan and developments in the Indo-Pacific during his meeting with the new British secretary Elizabeth Truss.
Jaishankar arrived here on Monday to participate in the 76th session of the UN General Assembly High.
Shortly after his arrival in the city, he held a bilateral meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soride, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and the new British foreign secretary.
“Nice to meet the new British foreign secretary @trussliz.
Discuss the progress of the Roadmap 2030.
Appreciate its contribution on the trade side.
Exchange views on developments in Afghanistan and Indo-Pacific.
Urgent the initial resolution of quarantine problems with shared interest,” Jaisanhar tweeted.
The meeting in New York between Jaisankar and Truss came on the same day as England announced restrictions on trips related to new Covid who triggered criticism and sharp concerns in India.
According to new regulations, Indian travelers who have received the two doses of the covishield vaccine produced by the Indian Serum Institute (SII) will be deemed not vaccinated and must undergo self-isolation for 10 days.
From October 4, the “traffic light system” is currently red, yellow, green countries based on the risk level Covid-19 will be replaced by a country list.
Scapping of the Amber List, which is what India is doing, means reducing the cost of PCR tests only for some travelers.
The list of expanded countries whose vaccines recognized in the UK not including India.
This means that Indians are vaccinated with covishield, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine produced by SII, will be asked to undergo a mandatory PCR test and self isolation.
After his meeting with Hussein, Jaishankar tweeted that he had “friendly meeting with FM Fuad Hussein from Iraq.
Discussing historical, economic, energy and cooperative relationships.
Switching views on regional and global problems.” Previously, Jaisankar said he began the Unga meeting with Soride .
“Appreciate our work together on the Security Council.
Comprehensive discussion about Afghanistan.
It is important for the international community to take an integrated approach,” he said.
England said it was involving India to explore how it could expand the recognition of Covid-19 vaccine certification issued by Indian authorities amid criticism of the new British travel rules.
Asked about concerns in India for the new rules to take effect next month, a spokesman for the British High Commission in New Delhi said England was engaged to India about this issue and committed to opening international trips again “as soon as possible”.
“The British is committed to opening an international trip again soon after being practiced and this announcement is the next step to allow people to travel more freely, in a safe and sustainable way, while protecting public health,” a spokesman said.
“We are involved with the Indian government to explore how we can expand the recognition of vaccine certification to people who are vaccinated by the relevant public health agency in India,” the official added.
Jaisankar and senior Indian officials arrived in New York starting Monday for an annual high-level UNGA session that returned to more hybrid formats and in-people this year after going virtual last year due to Covid-19 pandemic.
During the week, Jaishankar will meet with his colleagues from several member countries and participate in the G-20 meeting which will focus on Afghanistan and G-4 Foreign Minister meeting with a focus on the Reform of the Security Council.
The BRICS meeting, which also traditionally occurred on the sidelines of the UNGA session, did not occur because not all BRICs of foreign ministers will be present during the high-level week, Indian permanent representatives to the Ambassador PBA Tirumu have told PTI.
India will participate in three high-level meetings organized by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres about the climate, energy and food system.
The 76th UNGA session starts from September 14 under the presidency of Abdulla Shahid.
High-level week – General debate – will begin September 21, with US President Joe Biden replied to world leaders on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will overcome the general debate on September 25.
Jaishankar increases Covid-19 quarantine problems during his meeting with England partners
