But New Zealand does not appear in negotiations
India News Network, New Delhi, August 21, 2021
Students act as bridges between India and the rest of the world and the highest priority is being accorded to facilitate the travel of those who secured admission for higher education abroad, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said.
Speaking at the All India Management Association on ‘Post-vaccine World Order: Dismantling Barriers to Global Business and Travel’ in New Delhi on August 19, 2021, he said that 17 European Union member states and Switzerland recognised the Covishield Vaccine and lifted blanket travel bans from India, permitting entry of students and other essential travellers.
Editor’s Note: His speech covered Europe and Australia but did not include New Zealand.
“Caring, collaboration and cooperation have been the defining feature of our response to the pandemic. It is also central to overcoming barriers to global business and travel.
Overcoming barriers to movement is an area of importance to India and its students travel worldwide to study,” he said.
Mr Shringla said that India’s priority now is to facilitate the travel of its students who have secured admission for higher education in various universities and colleges abroad.
“The government will ensure that they can enjoy a holistic international education experience,” he said.
The Green Pass
The European Union recently adopted the EU Digital Covid Certificate, commonly called the Green Pass,’ which aims to facilitate free movement during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This regulation allows people who are vaccinated with European Medicines Agency- authorised vaccines to be exempted from travel restrictions within the EU. At the same time, the EU provides flexibility to the Member States to also accept vaccines that have been authorized at the national level or by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Mr Shringla said that the non-inclusion of India in the EU’s Green Pass mechanism was raised and reciprocity was sought in terms of the exemption for travel restrictions for Indians vaccinated with Covishield and Covaxin as well as the acceptance of vaccine certificates issued through the Co-Win portal.
“I am happy to inform that in response to our efforts, 17 EU Member States and Switzerland recognised Covishield and subsequently lifted blanket travel bans from India, permitting entry of students and other essential travellers from India,” he said.
According to him, several countries have agreed to accept travellers who are vaccinated by any nationally approved vaccines. This includes Estonia and Romania. Germany and France are currently issuing all categories of visas, including for tourism if one is vaccinated with Covishield, he said.
US, Canada welcome students
Referring to Western Europe, Mr Shringla said that all major destination countries are now allowing the travel of Indian students and are processing their visas on a priority basis.
“Restrictions for our students are easing for travel to the UK, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. India is closely engaged with the US administration on issues regarding the travel of professionals, students and others to the US,” he said.
He said that the issue of travel restrictions has been taken up at the ministerial level with the US and Canada and that the US Embassy is now issuing student visas.
“Student visas for Canada are also being issued. We have repeatedly stressed to both countries the need to resume travel for all categories of work-permit holders, researchers, family members and normal business travellers,” he said.
GCC reopens doors
Mr Shringla said that India is talking to the leaders in the Arab Gulf countries on Covid-19- related cooperation and that the emphasis has been to alleviate problems faced by the Indian community due to the pandemic.
“The second wave of Covid-19 posed further challenges as many Gulf countries placed restrictions on travel from India from April. However, these restrictions are gradually being eased. Qatar and Bahrain have been allowing the return of Indian nationals with resident visas. Qatar has also started allowing Indian nationals with visit visas. This month, UAE and Kuwait have begun allowing Indians with resident visas to come back, following their vaccinations, testing and quarantine guidelines. We are expecting further easing of restrictions, which will benefit our nationals,” he said.
Concern over Australia
Mr Shringla said that the concerns of Indian students unable to travel to Australia have also been raised with the Australian authorities concerned.
“We have emphasised the need for early return of these students to their campuses.
We are also cognizant of the delays faced by our students in obtaining visa appointments with some countries and have asked concerning foreign missions here to increase visa slots and expedite visa processing,” he said.
Mr Shringla said that the pandemic is unprecedented in human history. Despite the uncertainties inherent in this evolving pandemic, our efforts remain focused on easing the travel and improving the employment opportunities for Indian citizens abroad.
“The post-vaccine world would still not be a post-pandemic world. It has started to emerge that the world would have to live with the Coronavirus for some more time. This would mean continuous need for medical management of the virus. Our scientists and medical professionals will have to find and then mainstream innovative, affordable and safe solutions to counter this virus,” he said.
He said that New Delhi attaches the highest priority to ensuring that Indians can, once again, travel smoothly.
“For a country like India, which is embedded so deeply within the larger global community, this is the only way forward. The Government of India is fully committed to deal with these challenges,” he said.
