'Global Travel Should Be Based On Covid Testing, Not Vaccination', Says External Affairs Minister

"If people who are tested before for international travel and tested on arrival is a good enough basis for travel but some countries have now introduced the issue of vaccination."

Image Source: PTI

New Delhi: The External Affairs Minister S. Jaishhankar said on Friday that he believes that the basis for travel should be testing. He said that people who are tested before for international travel and tested on arrival is a good enough basis for travel.

Stressing that some understanding must be met he said that countries have now introduced the issue of vaccination.

"So, we will have to reach obviously some understanding... I discussed today how do we make sure that we are not discriminated against and how do we reach understandings between ourselves about the travel of our citizens to each other's countries," Jaishankar said addressing a joint press interaction following a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov according to PTI. 

He said the Covid-19 has challenge has actually provided an occasion for India and Russia to demonstrate the strength of their cooperation.

"We are seeing that today in the production of Sputnik vaccine and I completely agree with my Russian counterpart. I think we have to protect our population and help the world and the two go together with that, they are part of the same issue," he was quoted as saying by PTI.

Meanwhile, Jaishankar's Russian counterpart, Lavrov said that Russia is ready to discuss the certification of citizens vaccinated against COVID-19 with India, and an agreement can be reached in this sphere. He also stressed that both countries were against the politicization of vaccines and attempts to be guided by unfair competition.

"We are ready to discuss the possibilities of coordinating our actions related to vaccinated citizens, regarding the certification of those who were vaccinated. I think that we can reach an agreement here, and it will serve as an example to other states," he was quoted by PTI.

"I am confident that the majority of countries share this approach," he further added.