Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Thursday that students serve as "bridges" between India and the rest of the globe, and that "most priority" is being given to facilitating the trip of those who have been accepted for higher education abroad.
Seventeen European Union member states and Switzerland recognised the Covishield vaccination, and as a result, blanket travel bans against India were lifted, allowing students and other necessary travellers into the country, he said. Mr. Shringla was giving a talk at the All India Management Association on the topic of 'Post-vaccine World Order: Dismantling Barriers to Global Business and Travel.'
"Our approach to the pandemic has clearly been marked by compassion, collaboration, and cooperation. It's also crucial for breaking down obstacles to global trade and tourism "he stated The foreign secretary stated that breaking down obstacles to migration is critical for India, as its students travel all over the world to study. Mr Shringla stated that India's non-inclusion in the EU's green pass mechanism was raised, and reciprocity was sought in terms of travel restrictions exemptions for Indians vaccinated with Covishield and Covaxin vaccines, as well as the acceptance of vaccine certificates issued through the Co-Win portal.
"I am pleased to report that, as a result of our work, 17 EU Member States and Switzerland have recognised Covishield and have lifted blanket travel prohibitions against India, allowing students and other necessary travellers from India to enter," he stated. "Qatar has begun allowing Indian citizens with visit visas to enter the country. This month, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait began permitting Indian nationals with resident visas to return after completing their immunizations, testing, and quarantine requirements ".