Indians who have been fully vaccinated with Covishield or any other UK-approved vaccine will not be quarantined when they arrive in the UK starting October 11, the High Commissioner to India announced today, putting an end to a row over what was perceived as unfair application of COVID-19 quarantine rules. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-counter-to-uk-british-nationals-to-undergo-10-day-mandatory-quarantine-on-arrival-417417">Also read | India's counter to UK: British nationals to undergo 10-day mandatory quarantine on arrival</a>

"No quarantine for Indian travellers to the United Kingdom fully vaccinated with Covishield or another UK-approved vaccine from 11 October. Thanks to Indian government for close cooperation over the last month, " British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis tweeted."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
No quarantine for Indian 🇮🇳 travellers to UK 🇬🇧 fully vaccinated with Covishield or another UK-approved vaccine from 11 October. 
 
Thanks to Indian government for close cooperation over last month. <a href="https://t.co/cbI8Gqp0Qt">pic.twitter.com/cbI8Gqp0Qt</a>
— Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexWEllis/status/1446154167920128005?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Weeks after the United Kingdom placed quarantine restrictions on Indian travellers, India responded last Friday by stating that UK people travelling here from that country will be subject to a mandatory 10-day quarantine beginning on October 4.

In response to India's decision, the United Kingdom stated that it will continue to work with India to broaden recognition of COVID-19 vaccination certification.&nbsp; 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-approves-covishield-but-has-problem-with-indian-vaccine-certificates-414869">UK approves Covishield but has problem with Indian vaccine certificates</a>

"The UK is continuing to work on expanding the policy to countries and territories across the globe in a phased approach. We are continuing to engage with the Government of India on technical cooperation to expand UK recognition of vaccine certification to people vaccinated by a relevant public health body in India," the British High Commission spokesperson had said in a statement.

The UK government has been called discriminatory and even "colonialist" for refusing to recognise tourists as vaccinated unless they obtained their vaccinations in a few specified countries.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Indians who have been fully vaccinated with Covishield or any other UK-approved vaccine will not be quarantined when they arrive in the UK starting October 11, the High Commissioner to India announced today, putting an end to a row over what was perceived as unfair application of COVID-19 quarantine rules.

Indians who have been fully vaccinated with Covishield or any other UK-approved vaccine will not be quarantined when they arrive in the UK starting October 11, the High Commissioner to India announced today, putting an end to a row over what was perceived as unfair application of COVID-19 quarantine rules. Also read | India's counter to UK: British nationals to undergo 10-day mandatory quarantine on arrival "No quarantine for Indian travellers to the United Kingdom fully vaccinated with Covishield or another UK-approved vaccine from 11 October. Thanks to Indian government for close cooperation over the last month, " British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis tweeted." No quarantine for Indian 🇮🇳 travellers to UK 🇬🇧 fully vaccinated with Covishield or another UK-approved vaccine from 11 October. Thanks to Indian government for close cooperation over last month. pic.twitter.com/cbI8Gqp0Qt — Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) October 7, 2021 × Weeks after the United Kingdom placed quarantine restrictions on Indian travellers, India responded last Friday by stating that UK people travelling here from that country will be subject to a mandatory 10-day quarantine beginning on October 4. In response to India's decision, the United Kingdom stated that it will continue to work with India to broaden recognition of COVID-19 vaccination certification. Also read | UK approves Covishield but has problem with Indian vaccine certificates "The UK is continuing to work on expanding the policy to countries and territories across the globe in a phased approach. We are continuing to engage with the Government of India on technical cooperation to expand UK recognition of vaccine certification to people vaccinated by a relevant public health body in India," the British High Commission spokesperson had said in a statement. The UK government has been called discriminatory and even "colonialist" for refusing to recognise tourists as vaccinated unless they obtained their vaccinations in a few specified countries. (With inputs from agencies)

No quarantine for fully vaccinated Indians in UK from October 11: British envoy

In the backdrop United Kingdom not recognising India's covid vaccine certificate, New Delhi has decided to impose reciprocal measures on UK nationals arriving in the country from the UK.&nbsp;

Under the new regulations that come into effect from October 4, UK nationals will need a pre-departure COVID-19 RT-PCR test done within 72 hours before travel, a COVID-19 RT-PCR test on arrival at the airport, along with a third COVID-19 RT-PCR test on Day 8 of&nbsp;arrival.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-approves-covishield-but-has-problem-with-indian-vaccine-certificates-414869">UK approves Covishield but has problem with Indian vaccine certificates</a>

However, most significantly, they will have to undergo mandatory quarantine at home or at the destination address for 10 days following their arrival in India.

It will be applicable to all UK nationals irrespective of their vaccination status.&nbsp;

Watch | British arrogance: Indian vaccine certificates rejected

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-edition-british-arrogance-indian-vaccine-certificates-rejected-415027/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Sources said, "Authorities in the MoH&amp;FW and MOCA would be taking steps to implement the new measures."

UK had announced new guidelines last month, which will come into effect on October 4.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-unhappy-over-changes-in-uk-travel-rules-report-414394">India unhappy over changes in UK travel rules: Report</a>

The guidelines were seen as discriminatory and include rules like quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> test on or before day 2, another on or after day 8 for passengers who aren't fully vaccinated with UK authorised vaccines and certificates.

Interestingly India's new rules for the UK also come into effect on October 4.

Watch | PM Modi on UK's vaccine recognition row

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-usa-direct-pm-modi-on-uks-vaccine-recognition-row-415135/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In the backdrop United Kingdom not recognising India's covid vaccine certificate, New Delhi has decided to impose reciprocal measures on UK nationals arriving in the country from the UK.

In the backdrop United Kingdom not recognising India's covid vaccine certificate, New Delhi has decided to impose reciprocal measures on UK nationals arriving in the country from the UK. Under the new regulations that come into effect from October 4, UK nationals will need a pre-departure COVID-19 RT-PCR test done within 72 hours before travel, a COVID-19 RT-PCR test on arrival at the airport, along with a third COVID-19 RT-PCR test on Day 8 of arrival. Also read | UK approves Covishield but has problem with Indian vaccine certificates However, most significantly, they will have to undergo mandatory quarantine at home or at the destination address for 10 days following their arrival in India. It will be applicable to all UK nationals irrespective of their vaccination status. Watch | British arrogance: Indian vaccine certificates rejected Sources said, "Authorities in the MoH&FW and MOCA would be taking steps to implement the new measures." UK had announced new guidelines last month, which will come into effect on October 4. Also read | India unhappy over changes in UK travel rules: Report The guidelines were seen as discriminatory and include rules like quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days and COVID-19 test on or before day 2, another on or after day 8 for passengers who aren't fully vaccinated with UK authorised vaccines and certificates. Interestingly India's new rules for the UK also come into effect on October 4. Watch | PM Modi on UK's vaccine recognition row

India's counter to UK: British nationals to undergo 10-day mandatory quarantine on arrival

India's coronavirus vaccine outreach, or Vaccine Maitri, is continuing with full gusto, with the latest entrant being Fiji, which got&nbsp;a consignment of 100,000 doses.&nbsp;

The vaccines were handed over by India's acting high commissioner Saifullah Khan to Fiji's Prime Minister Admiral (Retd) Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama at the Nadi International Airport.&nbsp;Fiji's Health minister Ifereimi Waqainabete, Defence minister Inia Seruiratu, Permanent Secretary for Office of the Prime Minister Yogesh Karan, Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services James Fong and other top officials were also present.

Fiji's prime minister thanked Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi, tweeting, "Vinaka [thank you]&nbsp;to my friend, @narendramodi , for helping us take this giant step towards a post-pandemic future for Fiji and for the world."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VaccineMaitri?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VaccineMaitri</a> has arrived to Fiji with 100k doses of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines. 
 
Vinaka to my friend, <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>, for helping us take this giant step towards a post-pandemic future for Fiji and for the world. <a href="https://t.co/xlWdm04Nvs">pic.twitter.com/xlWdm04Nvs</a>
— Frank Bainimarama (@FijiPM) <a href="https://twitter.com/FijiPM/status/1376455082242269190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

"In a bleak year for multilateralism, you’ve helped put a welcome pause on the pandemic politics that’s kept valuable vaccines in the world’s largest &amp; richest countries," he added.

India has sent vaccines to other countries in the Pacific, including to Solomon Islands. India has also dispatched the doses to the Caribbean.

The Indian high commission&nbsp;said in a release: "India and Fiji share longstanding partnership based on mutual respect, cooperation and cultural ties. Fiji is an important partner for realising the Indo- Pacific vision that envisages a free, open and inclusive region in a common pursuit of progress and prosperity."

India began its Vaccine Maitri drive in January, with the first tranche of Indian vaccines being sent to the Maldives and Bhutan, followed by other countries in the neighbourhood. India's vaccine outreach to the world started within four days of it starting its mega domestic vaccination programme on 16th January.

Speaking at an event on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said, "Since the launch of Vaccine Maitri, we have supplied 64 million doses of vaccines to 82 countries. This includes supplies under a grant, commercial contracts and the COVAX facility [the global vaccine access initiative spearheaded by World Health Organization]."

India's vaccine initiative is expected to get a booster shot, with Quad countries - India, US, Australia, Japan- agreeing after the first leadership summit in March that India's vaccine manufacturing capacity will be increased to produce more doses for the Indo-Pacific region.

India's coronavirus vaccine outreach, or Vaccine Maitri, is continuing with full gusto, with the latest entrant being Fiji, which got a consignment of 100,000 doses.

India's coronavirus vaccine outreach, or Vaccine Maitri, is continuing with full gusto, with the latest entrant being Fiji, which got a consignment of 100,000 doses. The vaccines were handed over by India's acting high commissioner Saifullah Khan to Fiji's Prime Minister Admiral (Retd) Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama at the Nadi International Airport. Fiji's Health minister Ifereimi Waqainabete, Defence minister Inia Seruiratu, Permanent Secretary for Office of the Prime Minister Yogesh Karan, Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services James Fong and other top officials were also present. Fiji's prime minister thanked Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi, tweeting, "Vinaka [thank you] to my friend, @narendramodi , for helping us take this giant step towards a post-pandemic future for Fiji and for the world." #VaccineMaitri has arrived to Fiji with 100k doses of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines. Vinaka to my friend, @narendramodi, for helping us take this giant step towards a post-pandemic future for Fiji and for the world. pic.twitter.com/xlWdm04Nvs — Frank Bainimarama (@FijiPM) March 29, 2021 × "In a bleak year for multilateralism, you’ve helped put a welcome pause on the pandemic politics that’s kept valuable vaccines in the world’s largest & richest countries," he added. India has sent vaccines to other countries in the Pacific, including to Solomon Islands. India has also dispatched the doses to the Caribbean. The Indian high commission said in a release: "India and Fiji share longstanding partnership based on mutual respect, cooperation and cultural ties. Fiji is an important partner for realising the Indo- Pacific vision that envisages a free, open and inclusive region in a common pursuit of progress and prosperity." India began its Vaccine Maitri drive in January, with the first tranche of Indian vaccines being sent to the Maldives and Bhutan, followed by other countries in the neighbourhood. India's vaccine outreach to the world started within four days of it starting its mega domestic vaccination programme on 16th January. Speaking at an event on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said, "Since the launch of Vaccine Maitri, we have supplied 64 million doses of vaccines to 82 countries. This includes supplies under a grant, commercial contracts and the COVAX facility [the global vaccine access initiative spearheaded by World Health Organization]." India's vaccine initiative is expected to get a booster shot, with Quad countries - India, US, Australia, Japan- agreeing after the first leadership summit in March that India's vaccine manufacturing capacity will be increased to produce more doses for the Indo-Pacific region.

India sends COVID-19 vaccines to over 80 countries, Fiji the latest entrant

India, which has shipped critical supplies of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-indian-states-account-for-over-84-active-covid-19-infections-367381"> COVID-19</a> vaccines to nations globally, has said it stands ready to work with the United Nations and its agencies to ensure the doses are delivered to people of Syria facing a dire situation compounded by the pandemic and food insecurity.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly's high-level panel on the human rights situation in Syria on Tuesday, India's deputy permanent representative to the UN Ambassador K Nagaraj Naidu said New Delhi&nbsp;continues to stand with the people of Syria in the grave hour of need.

India had extended $12 million in humanitarian assistance through bilateral and multilateral channels to Syria and last July the country had supplied more than 10 MT (metric tonnes) of medical supplies. Earlier this month, more than 2000 MT of food supplies were delivered to Syria.

"We also stand ready to work with the UN and its agencies to ensure COVID-19 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/Narendra-Modi-first-dose-coronavirus-take-the-vaccine-pm-modi-takes-first-dose-of-coronavirus-vaccine-at-aiims-delhi-366946">vaccines</a> can be brought to the aid and assistance of the people of Syria," Naidu said.

India's contribution towards providing critical supplies of the COVID-19 vaccines around the world are being widely applauded, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailing India for being a "global leader in pandemic response efforts" for having provided critical medicines, diagnostic kits, ventilators and personal protective equipment to more than 150 countries.

Under the initiative "vaccine maitri", which translates into vaccine friendship, India has been providing vaccines to the world. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had told the Security Council last month that while India is a significant source of supply to the COVAX, the global vaccine access facility spearheaded by World Health Organization, the country is also directly sending vaccines to friends and partners.

India, which has shipped critical supplies of COVID-19 vaccines to nations globally, has said it stands ready to work with the United Nations and its agencies to ensure the doses are delivered to people of Syria facing a dire situation compounded by the pandemic and food insecurity.

India, which has shipped critical supplies of COVID-19 vaccines to nations globally, has said it stands ready to work with the United Nations and its agencies to ensure the doses are delivered to people of Syria facing a dire situation compounded by the pandemic and food insecurity. Speaking at the UN General Assembly's high-level panel on the human rights situation in Syria on Tuesday, India's deputy permanent representative to the UN Ambassador K Nagaraj Naidu said New Delhi continues to stand with the people of Syria in the grave hour of need. India had extended $12 million in humanitarian assistance through bilateral and multilateral channels to Syria and last July the country had supplied more than 10 MT (metric tonnes) of medical supplies. Earlier this month, more than 2000 MT of food supplies were delivered to Syria. "We also stand ready to work with the UN and its agencies to ensure COVID-19 vaccines can be brought to the aid and assistance of the people of Syria," Naidu said. India's contribution towards providing critical supplies of the COVID-19 vaccines around the world are being widely applauded, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailing India for being a "global leader in pandemic response efforts" for having provided critical medicines, diagnostic kits, ventilators and personal protective equipment to more than 150 countries. Under the initiative "vaccine maitri", which translates into vaccine friendship, India has been providing vaccines to the world. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had told the Security Council last month that while India is a significant source of supply to the COVAX, the global vaccine access facility spearheaded by World Health Organization, the country is also directly sending vaccines to friends and partners.

Ready to work with UN to ensure COVID-19 vaccine aid to Syria: India

Poland has lauded India's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine </a>diplomacy, with its envoy in Delhi, Adam Burakowski saying, "We are happy that your country is becoming more active and vaccine diplomacy is very important". Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Burakowski hoped the Air Transport bubble between the 2 countries can be started soon, pointing out, "We have applied for an air bubble with India and we are waiting for the reply. " LOT Polish Airlines had started a direct flight between Warsaw and Delhi in September 2019 but this was halted due to Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-starts-vaccination-drive-with-indian-jab-359042/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

He spoke on several subjects, like Economic and Political ties with India and China and his country's role in Afghanistan. On Afghanistan, the Polish envoy to Delhi, who is also accredited to Kabul said, "We want a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. This is a fantastic country. My dream is someday Polish tourists can visit this country". It is interesting to know, Poland prints Afghanistan's currency of 10 and 20 denominations.

Sidhant Sibal: How has been the cooperation between India and Poland has been when it comes to dealing with COVID crisis? 
Adam Burakowski : Covid has impacted the whole world in a very negative away. Poland is cooperating with India from the beginning. From the first lockdown in March, we cooperated in rescue flights. Few rescue flights were operated for Polish citizens and Vande Bharat flights for Indian Citizens stranded in Poland. It was a very good example of common cooperation against threats all over the world. Nowadays, the situation in the whole of Europe is much worse than India unfortunately. Many lockdowns in many countries. In Poland, we have a national quarantine. Many things are closed, restaurants are closed, hotels are closed, and also if you go to Polish cities, you don't see many people on the streets. This is very hard. We have started a program on vaccination. We are following the EU program and we are using vaccines accepted by the EU. One of them is AstraZeneca which is also produced in India and maybe some cooperation in the future. No cooperation as of now and we have already vaccinated one million out of 38 million Polish population and we hope it will go smoothly. And we hope lockdown is over and we can restore our normal activities and also Polish India ties. India is becoming more and more important in Polish thinking about the world.

Sidhant Sibal: How has been the connectivity between the 2 countries amid the pandemic. Has there been any transport bubble, which has opened? 
Adam Burakowski: We inaugurated direct flight from Delhi to Warsaw by LOT Polish Airlines in Sept 2019. So after half a year of this very successful flight connection, &nbsp;the occupancy was over 90%, we had to cancel it because of Covid. While there were some rescue flights by LOT Polish Airlines. Nowadays, we don't operate with passengers, it operates with cargo to Delhi and Mumbai. We have applied for an air bubble with India and we are waiting for the reply. We hope that when India decides to be more open, Poland and Warsaw will be on their list because we are ready to work on strengthening our ties and our cooperation. LOT flight is ready to fly to India at any moment and it will be solved very soon. There are around 4000 Indian students in Poland and leading Polish universities give program in the English language. We are still giving students visas so that students can go and start studies and we want to increase this. This will be more easy when we reopen the direct flight.

Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India's vaccine diplomacy and any cooperation on the vaccine front. Any comments on the ongoing tiff between EU and AstraZeneca. 
Adam Burakowski: India, I think made a very good move to become one of the largest producers of the vaccine in the world. We observed India provided vaccine to south Asia, neighboring countries, and also some countries which are some distant. This program went quickly and rapidly and helps many countries and millions of people. We see that the Govt of India has some plan to be more active in this in the world. We are very hopeful that India will play a bigger role. India shares so many values with Poland and Europe. We are happy that your country is becoming more active and vaccine diplomacy is a very important, very helpful tool for the world. Concerning EU AstraZeneca, I hope it will be solved very soon. And maybe, more quantity of AstraZeneca will be produced in India, but this is a question better to ask AstraZeneca company. We all hope vaccines in the world go smoothly and quickly.

Sidhant Sibal: On ties with India, how do you see the overall relationship when it comes to Europe. Also on China, do you see ties. So overall, India and China, and Poland's ties with both countries. This even as China has been aggressive with the countries in the region.

Adam Burakowski: China is important to partner with Poland and we have many ties with China, especially economic, political. We have totally different political system, we have a democratic system. But we cooperate on economics, there is also a train route, that takes cargo. We see the European Union prepared an agreement on investment with China. We were not so hurrying to have this agreement before some consultations especially our transatlantic partners, US and new admin of Joe Biden. We strongly advocate transatlantic ties. Concerning India, we hope India will be closer and closer to European Union as a whole. We have big expectations from the India EU summit that will take place in Portugal in May this year. Also, in Poland and central Europe group Visegrád, we want to show India can also have good and better relations with us, especially economy, students you mentioned, connectivity. We have some hopes of increasing cooperation with India in Cybersecurity. Ongoing India EU dialogue on cyber issues.

Sidhant Sibal: Poland has played an important role in Afghanistan if you can elaborate on that? 
Adam Burakowski: Poland always supported Freedom and stability in Afghanistan. Polish soldiers have been part of the missions, we have contributed not only militarily but also development projects. Especially in Ghazni and northern Areas. We strongly support freedom and stability in Afghanistan. And we not only support verbally but also in action. We have a Polish military contingent that is part of a resolute support mission. Poland has just printed the banknotes for Afghanistan. The banknote of 10 and 20 Afghani. This also example of very good cooperation with Afghanistan. We want a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. This is a fantastic country. My dream is someday Polish tourists can visit this country and enjoy the atmosphere, the food, views, the mountains. I hope the Afghan elite can set up some long-lasting solution for peace and stability. 
&nbsp;

Poland has lauded India's vaccine diplomacy, with its envoy in Delhi, Adam Burakowski saying, "We are happy that your country is becoming more active and vaccine diplomacy is very important".

Poland has lauded India's vaccine diplomacy, with its envoy in Delhi, Adam Burakowski saying, "We are happy that your country is becoming more active and vaccine diplomacy is very important". Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Burakowski hoped the Air Transport bubble between the 2 countries can be started soon, pointing out, "We have applied for an air bubble with India and we are waiting for the reply. " LOT Polish Airlines had started a direct flight between Warsaw and Delhi in September 2019 but this was halted due to Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Watch | He spoke on several subjects, like Economic and Political ties with India and China and his country's role in Afghanistan. On Afghanistan, the Polish envoy to Delhi, who is also accredited to Kabul said, "We want a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. This is a fantastic country. My dream is someday Polish tourists can visit this country". It is interesting to know, Poland prints Afghanistan's currency of 10 and 20 denominations. Sidhant Sibal: How has been the cooperation between India and Poland has been when it comes to dealing with COVID crisis? Adam Burakowski : Covid has impacted the whole world in a very negative away. Poland is cooperating with India from the beginning. From the first lockdown in March, we cooperated in rescue flights. Few rescue flights were operated for Polish citizens and Vande Bharat flights for Indian Citizens stranded in Poland. It was a very good example of common cooperation against threats all over the world. Nowadays, the situation in the whole of Europe is much worse than India unfortunately. Many lockdowns in many countries. In Poland, we have a national quarantine. Many things are closed, restaurants are closed, hotels are closed, and also if you go to Polish cities, you don't see many people on the streets. This is very hard. We have started a program on vaccination. We are following the EU program and we are using vaccines accepted by the EU. One of them is AstraZeneca which is also produced in India and maybe some cooperation in the future. No cooperation as of now and we have already vaccinated one million out of 38 million Polish population and we hope it will go smoothly. And we hope lockdown is over and we can restore our normal activities and also Polish India ties. India is becoming more and more important in Polish thinking about the world. Sidhant Sibal: How has been the connectivity between the 2 countries amid the pandemic. Has there been any transport bubble, which has opened? Adam Burakowski: We inaugurated direct flight from Delhi to Warsaw by LOT Polish Airlines in Sept 2019. So after half a year of this very successful flight connection, the occupancy was over 90%, we had to cancel it because of Covid. While there were some rescue flights by LOT Polish Airlines. Nowadays, we don't operate with passengers, it operates with cargo to Delhi and Mumbai. We have applied for an air bubble with India and we are waiting for the reply. We hope that when India decides to be more open, Poland and Warsaw will be on their list because we are ready to work on strengthening our ties and our cooperation. LOT flight is ready to fly to India at any moment and it will be solved very soon. There are around 4000 Indian students in Poland and leading Polish universities give program in the English language. We are still giving students visas so that students can go and start studies and we want to increase this. This will be more easy when we reopen the direct flight. Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India's vaccine diplomacy and any cooperation on the vaccine front. Any comments on the ongoing tiff between EU and AstraZeneca. Adam Burakowski: India, I think made a very good move to become one of the largest producers of the vaccine in the world. We observed India provided vaccine to south Asia, neighboring countries, and also some countries which are some distant. This program went quickly and rapidly and helps many countries and millions of people. We see that the Govt of India has some plan to be more active in this in the world. We are very hopeful that India will play a bigger role. India shares so many values with Poland and Europe. We are happy that your country is becoming more active and vaccine diplomacy is a very important, very helpful tool for the world. Concerning EU AstraZeneca, I hope it will be solved very soon. And maybe, more quantity of AstraZeneca will be produced in India, but this is a question better to ask AstraZeneca company. We all hope vaccines in the world go smoothly and quickly. Sidhant Sibal: On ties with India, how do you see the overall relationship when it comes to Europe. Also on China, do you see ties. So overall, India and China, and Poland's ties with both countries. This even as China has been aggressive with the countries in the region. Adam Burakowski: China is important to partner with Poland and we have many ties with China, especially economic, political. We have totally different political system, we have a democratic system. But we cooperate on economics, there is also a train route, that takes cargo. We see the European Union prepared an agreement on investment with China. We were not so hurrying to have this agreement before some consultations especially our transatlantic partners, US and new admin of Joe Biden. We strongly advocate transatlantic ties. Concerning India, we hope India will be closer and closer to European Union as a whole. We have big expectations from the India EU summit that will take place in Portugal in May this year. Also, in Poland and central Europe group Visegrád, we want to show India can also have good and better relations with us, especially economy, students you mentioned, connectivity. We have some hopes of increasing cooperation with India in Cybersecurity. Ongoing India EU dialogue on cyber issues. Sidhant Sibal: Poland has played an important role in Afghanistan if you can elaborate on that? Adam Burakowski: Poland always supported Freedom and stability in Afghanistan. Polish soldiers have been part of the missions, we have contributed not only militarily but also development projects. Especially in Ghazni and northern Areas. We strongly support freedom and stability in Afghanistan. And we not only support verbally but also in action. We have a Polish military contingent that is part of a resolute support mission. Poland has just printed the banknotes for Afghanistan. The banknote of 10 and 20 Afghani. This also example of very good cooperation with Afghanistan. We want a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. This is a fantastic country. My dream is someday Polish tourists can visit this country and enjoy the atmosphere, the food, views, the mountains. I hope the Afghan elite can set up some long-lasting solution for peace and stability.

Exclusive: Poland lauds India's vaccine diplomacy, hopes for early air transport bubble

China will donate three lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses to Sri Lanka, stepping up its vaccine diplomacy in South Asia as India rushed its domestically manufactured coronavirus vaccines to several countries in the subcontinent as well as across the globe.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday thanked India for its generosity after he received five lakh doses of Covishield vaccine gifted by New Delhi under the 'Neighbourhood First' policy.

"China will donate three lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses to Sri Lanka to jointly fight the COVID-19 pandemic," state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday, citing a statement from the Chinese embassy in Colombo.

China made the decision after a recent request by the Lankan government, it said.

The jabs manufactured by the China National Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd (Sinopharm) are expected to be handed over to the Lankan side in mid-February.

A number of countries in the subcontinent including Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, where Beijing has substantial investments, caught China by surprise by opting for Indian vaccines.

So far, India has sent consignments of coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance to Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Seychelles, Myanmar and Mauritius.

India is one of the world's biggest drug-makers and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring the coronavirus vaccines.

It is also undertaking commercial supplies of the doses to a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil and Morocco.

India has also rushed two million doses of Covishield vaccine to Brazil on the request of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

Meanwhile, Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's senior advisor Lalith Weeratunga told journalists in Colombo on Wednesday that the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) was conducting tests on the Sinopharm vaccine and once clearance is obtained from them, the vaccine could be used under an emergency basis, the Xinhua report said.

Separately, China has offered to step-up cooperation to Maldives to control the pandemic.

On January 26, Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui co-hosted the 7th round of China-Maldives diplomatic consultations with Maldivian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel via video link.

Luo Zhaohui said China and Maldives supported each other, effectively contained the virus spread in their countries, and actively promoted economic recovery.

Both sides need to make continuous efforts to push forward their bilateral relations, a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said.

China will donate three lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses to Sri Lanka, stepping up its vaccine diplomacy in South Asia as India rushed its domestically manufactured coronavirus vaccines to several countries in the subcontinent as well as across the globe.

China will donate three lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses to Sri Lanka, stepping up its vaccine diplomacy in South Asia as India rushed its domestically manufactured coronavirus vaccines to several countries in the subcontinent as well as across the globe. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday thanked India for its generosity after he received five lakh doses of Covishield vaccine gifted by New Delhi under the 'Neighbourhood First' policy. "China will donate three lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses to Sri Lanka to jointly fight the COVID-19 pandemic," state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday, citing a statement from the Chinese embassy in Colombo. China made the decision after a recent request by the Lankan government, it said. The jabs manufactured by the China National Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd (Sinopharm) are expected to be handed over to the Lankan side in mid-February. A number of countries in the subcontinent including Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, where Beijing has substantial investments, caught China by surprise by opting for Indian vaccines. So far, India has sent consignments of coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance to Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Seychelles, Myanmar and Mauritius. India is one of the world's biggest drug-makers and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring the coronavirus vaccines. It is also undertaking commercial supplies of the doses to a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil and Morocco. India has also rushed two million doses of Covishield vaccine to Brazil on the request of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Meanwhile, Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's senior advisor Lalith Weeratunga told journalists in Colombo on Wednesday that the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) was conducting tests on the Sinopharm vaccine and once clearance is obtained from them, the vaccine could be used under an emergency basis, the Xinhua report said. Separately, China has offered to step-up cooperation to Maldives to control the pandemic. On January 26, Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui co-hosted the 7th round of China-Maldives diplomatic consultations with Maldivian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel via video link. Luo Zhaohui said China and Maldives supported each other, effectively contained the virus spread in their countries, and actively promoted economic recovery. Both sides need to make continuous efforts to push forward their bilateral relations, a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said.

Vaccine diplomacy intensifies as China donates Sinovac to Sri Lanka after India supplies Covishield

vaccine-diplomacy

Vaccine Diplomacy, News on Vaccine Diplomacy, stories on Vaccine Diplomacy, articles on Vaccine Diplomacy, Vaccine Diplomacy stories at Wion, Vaccine Diplomacy news, Vaccine Diplomacy latest news